Antivirus programs are designed to protect our computers against online threats. What if, however, they themselves are full of holes? It turns out that this is the case and the problem applies to several dozen popular antiviruses, including Microsoft Defender, McAfee and Malwarebytes.
The problem concerns exactly 28 antivirus programs. The list includes Microsoft Defender, McAfee Endpoint Security, Malwarebytes and more. As if that was not enough, the threat does not only occur in the Windows OS but also on macOS and Linux operating systems.
According to the information disclosed by Rack911 Labs, anti-virus packages have errors that allow attackers to delete files and cause crashes. It is also possible to install malware. Depending on the system platform, the vulnerabilities can be exploited in different ways. The video below presents the use of the exploit in Windows.
The following video presents the use of the exploit in macOS:
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28 antiviruses concerned by these security vulnerabilities
Here is the full list of antiviruses concerned by these vulnerabilities:
Windows
- Avast Free Anti-Virus
- Avira Free Anti-Virus
- BitDefender GravityZone
- Comodo Endpoint Security
- F-Secure Computer Protection
- FireEye Endpoint Security
- Intercept X (Sophos)
- Kaspersky Endpoint Security
- Malwarebytes for Windows
- McAfee Endpoint Security
- Panda dome
- Webroot Secure Anywhere
MacOS
- AVG
- BitDefender Total Security
- Eset Cyber Security
- Kaspersky Internet Security
- McAfee Total Protection
- Microsoft Defender (BETA)
- Norton Security
- Sophos Home
- Webroot Secure Anywhere
Linux
- BitDefender GravityZone
- Comodo Endpoint Security
- Eset File Server Security
- F-Secure Linux Security
- Kaspersy Endpoint Security
- McAfee Endpoint Security
- Sophos Anti-Virus for Linux
If, after all, you are looking for a proven and effective anti-virus, be sure to check if these vulnerabilities are fixed.
Thankfully I don’t use AV on my beloved Mint, why do I care about security if I use Linux anyway! Peace of mind.