CVE-2004-2477 in Guard
Summary
by MITRE
diamondcs process guard free 2.000 allows local users to disable the process guard protection system by overwriting the current service descriptor table (sdt) in \device\physicalmemory with the original sdt found in ntoskrnl.exe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2477 represents a critical security flaw in the diamondcs process guard free 2.000 software implementation that directly targets the Windows operating system kernel protection mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects systems where the process guard protection system is implemented through modifications to the Service Descriptor Table (SDT), which serves as a fundamental kernel interface for system calls. The flaw allows local attackers with standard user privileges to bypass kernel-level protections by manipulating the SDT structure, effectively undermining the integrity of the operating system's security framework. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of service descriptor table modifications and lacks proper access controls for kernel memory operations.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves overwriting the current Service Descriptor Table located at \device\physicalmemory with a copy of the original SDT extracted from the ntoskrnl.exe kernel image. This process effectively restores the original kernel call table structure, thereby disabling the process guard protection system that was previously implemented through SDT modifications. The attack vector exploits the fact that local users can access physical memory devices and manipulate kernel structures without proper authorization checks. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-264 category of "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls" and represents a privilege escalation flaw that allows users to gain elevated system privileges through kernel memory manipulation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level, making it difficult to detect and prevent through standard user-space security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise and potential data exfiltration capabilities. Once local users successfully disable the process guard protection system, they gain unrestricted access to kernel-level resources and can manipulate system calls to bypass other security controls such as driver signing requirements and code integrity checks. This vulnerability directly impacts the Windows Security Model by undermining the kernel's ability to enforce access control policies and maintain system integrity. The attack enables persistent system compromise through potential installation of rootkits or other malicious kernel-mode components that can operate undetected by standard security software. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as privilege escalation through kernel exploitation and persistence mechanisms that leverage direct memory access to system components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2477 require immediate system hardening measures including disabling or removing the vulnerable diamondcs process guard free 2.000 software from affected systems. System administrators should implement proper access controls on physical memory devices and restrict local user privileges to prevent unauthorized memory manipulation. The implementation of kernel patch protection mechanisms and driver signature enforcement can help prevent unauthorized kernel modifications. Additionally, regular system monitoring for unusual memory access patterns and kernel-level activity can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing memory protection technologies such as Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) to make exploitation more difficult. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel security implementation and the need for robust access controls on critical system structures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other kernel-level protection systems and ensure comprehensive system security coverage.