CVE-2023-29144 identifies a vulnerability in Malwarebytes version 1.0.14 for Linux, where the software fails to properly compute malware signatures under certain conditions. This flaw allows attackers to bypass detection mechanisms, effectively evading the antivirus protection provided by Malwarebytes. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-190, which relates to integer overflow or wraparound issues that can lead to incorrect calculations or logic errors. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.3, indicating a low severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have local access with low privileges (PR:L), and no user interaction (UI:N) is necessary. The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact affects integrity only (I:L), with no impact on confidentiality (C:N) or availability (A:N). No patches or fixes have been published at the time of this report, and no known exploits are currently active in the wild. The vulnerability could allow malware to remain undetected on Linux systems running this specific Malwarebytes version, potentially undermining endpoint security and incident response efforts.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2023-29144 is the potential reduction in the effectiveness of Malwarebytes 1.0.14 for Linux in detecting malware threats. This could lead to undetected malware infections, increasing the risk of persistent threats and lateral movement within networks. While the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or availability directly, the integrity of malware detection is weakened, which may delay incident detection and response. Organizations relying heavily on Malwarebytes for Linux endpoints, particularly in server environments or critical infrastructure, may face increased exposure to stealthy malware. However, since exploitation requires local access with low privileges and no known exploits exist, the immediate risk is limited. The lack of a patch also means organizations must rely on compensating controls until an update is available.

1. Monitor Malwarebytes official channels for any forthcoming patches or updates addressing CVE-2023-29144 and apply them promptly once available. 2. Restrict local access to Linux systems running Malwarebytes to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of low-privilege attackers exploiting this vulnerability. 3. Employ additional endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools alongside Malwarebytes to provide layered malware detection capabilities. 4. Implement strict application whitelisting and behavior monitoring to detect anomalous activities that might bypass signature-based detection. 5. Regularly audit and harden Linux systems to reduce the attack surface and prevent unauthorized local access. 6. Conduct periodic security awareness training emphasizing the importance of maintaining endpoint security hygiene and recognizing suspicious activities. 7. Use network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if malware evades detection on one system.