CVE-2002-2126 in Integrity Protection Driver
Summary
by MITRE
restrictEnabled in Integrity Protection Driver (IPD) 1.2 delays driver installation for 20 minutes, which allows local users to insert malicious code by setting system clock to an earlier time.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2126 resides within the Integrity Protection Driver (IPD) version 1.2, a security component designed to protect system integrity by controlling driver installation processes. This flaw represents a significant time-based bypass mechanism that undermines the intended security controls of the IPD system. The vulnerability manifests through the restrictEnabled parameter within the driver's configuration, which implements a deliberate delay mechanism during driver installation procedures. This design decision creates a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the system's temporal dependencies and circumvent security protections.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental relationship between system time and security enforcement mechanisms. When the IPD driver encounters a driver installation request, it activates a 20-minute delay period that is ostensibly designed to prevent unauthorized modifications to the system. However, this delay mechanism becomes exploitable when local users manipulate the system clock to an earlier time, effectively shortening or eliminating the imposed waiting period. The vulnerability specifically targets the driver installation process, where the IPD component is responsible for enforcing integrity controls and preventing unauthorized driver loading. The flaw demonstrates a critical oversight in the security architecture where temporal controls are not properly validated against system clock manipulations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise capabilities. Local users who can manipulate system time gain the ability to insert malicious code through the driver installation process, effectively bypassing the intended security protections. This exploitation vector represents a form of time-based attack that aligns with attack techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy, particularly those related to system clock manipulation and temporal bypasses. The 20-minute delay provides a window during which an attacker can execute malicious code insertion without proper authorization, potentially leading to persistent system compromise and privilege escalation.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust temporal validation mechanisms within security systems. The flaw represents a classic case where security controls are implemented without proper consideration of adversarial manipulation techniques. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-1279 which addresses improper handling of time-based security controls, and aligns with attack patterns in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under system manipulation and privilege escalation techniques. Organizations implementing similar integrity protection mechanisms should consider the implications of time-based delays that can be circumvented through simple system clock manipulation, as this represents a fundamental weakness in the security architecture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate and long-term approaches to address the underlying architectural flaw. The most direct solution involves modifying the IPD driver to implement time-based controls that are resistant to system clock manipulation, potentially through hardware-based time sources or cryptographic time stamps. System administrators should also implement monitoring controls to detect unauthorized system clock modifications, as these changes often precede malicious activities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing more robust integrity protection mechanisms that do not rely solely on time-based delays for security enforcement, following principles from security frameworks that emphasize defense in depth and multiple layers of protection. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of validating security controls against adversarial manipulation techniques and implementing controls that remain effective regardless of system time state.