CVE-2004-0767 in StackDefender
Summary
by MITRE
NGSEC StackDefender 1.10 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (system crash) via an invalid address for the ObjectAttribues parameter to the hooks for the (1) ZwCreateFile or (2) ZwOpenFile functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0767 affects NGSEC StackDefender version 1.10, a security solution designed to protect Windows systems from various threats. This particular flaw represents a critical denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited to crash the targeted system. The vulnerability specifically impacts the kernel-level hooks implemented by StackDefender, which are designed to monitor and control file system operations through the Windows Native API functions ZwCreateFile and ZwOpenFile. These functions serve as the underlying interface for file operations in the Windows kernel, making them prime targets for exploitation due to their fundamental role in system operation.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the StackDefender hook implementations. When attackers provide an invalid address for the ObjectAttributes parameter in calls to ZwCreateFile or ZwOpenFile, the system fails to properly handle this malformed input, resulting in a system crash. This occurs because the hook functions do not perform proper bounds checking or validation of the memory addresses passed to them. The ObjectAttributes parameter in Windows kernel functions typically contains a pointer to an OBJECT_ATTRIBUTES structure that defines various properties of the object being created or opened. When this parameter contains an invalid address, the kernel's handling routine encounters unexpected memory access patterns that lead to system instability and ultimately a crash.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system disruption as it can be exploited by malicious actors to perform persistent denial of service attacks against targeted systems. Since the vulnerability operates at the kernel level through Windows Native API hooks, successful exploitation can bring down critical system services and applications that depend on file system operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed through legitimate Windows API calls, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network monitoring approaches. This vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to crash the operating system without requiring elevated privileges, making it a significant security concern for any system running StackDefender 1.10.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions where an application accesses memory beyond its allocated bounds. The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers "Endpoint Denial of Service," specifically targeting Windows system crash conditions. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of improper input validation and memory handling issues that are commonly found in kernel-mode drivers and system-level security software. The exploitation of such vulnerabilities in security tools like StackDefender is particularly dangerous because it can undermine the very security mechanisms designed to protect the system, creating a paradoxical situation where the security solution becomes a vector for system compromise.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the StackDefender software to version 1.11 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the input validation issues. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect anomalous API call patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on ZwCreateFile and ZwOpenFile calls with invalid ObjectAttributes parameters. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application level and using kernel-mode protection mechanisms can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider conducting thorough security assessments of their endpoint protection solutions to identify other potential kernel-level vulnerabilities that could be exploited in similar ways.