Symantec flaw opens door to hackers, experts warn

eEye Digital Security has warned that a security hole in Symantec's antivirus products could let intruders break into a system and commandeer it. In a short online "upcoming advisory" note dated Wednesday, the company said the vulnerability could give attackers system-level access.

eEye has given the vulnerability a "high" severity rating, noting that no user interaction is required for it to be exploited in an attack. (User interaction includes such things as opening an e-mail attachment or clicking on a malicious URL.)

The problem affects version 10-series of Symantec Antivirus, eEye said. Symantec is examining the vulnerability, Mike Bradshaw, a company spokesman, reportedly told the Associated Press, which said he described it as "so new that we don't have any details."