CVE-2005-2145 in prevx pro
Summary
by MITRE
the kernel driver in prevx pro 2005 1.0 does not verify the source of certain messages which allows local users to bypass protection by sending certain messages to the driver as demonstrated by sending an "allow" message to bypass a warning message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2145 represents a critical security flaw in the kernel driver component of Prevx Pro 2005 version 1.0, a network security solution designed to protect against malicious network traffic. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the kernel driver that processes communication messages from various sources. The vulnerability specifically affects the message handling architecture where the driver fails to authenticate or validate the origin of incoming messages before processing them, creating a pathway for unauthorized manipulation of the security system's behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows local attackers to exploit the lack of source verification by crafting and sending specially formatted messages directly to the kernel driver. When an attacker sends an "allow" message to the driver, the system processes this command without proper validation, effectively bypassing the security warning mechanisms that would normally prevent certain network activities. This flaw operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation can provide attackers with elevated privileges and complete control over the security filtering functions. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper access control and input sanitization that violates fundamental security principles.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly undermines the integrity of the Prevx Pro 2005 security solution, as it allows local users to circumvent the very protections the software was designed to provide. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to network resources, bypass content filtering, and potentially establish persistent access to protected systems. The impact extends beyond simple bypass of warnings, as the compromised driver can be manipulated to allow malicious network traffic while blocking legitimate security alerts, creating a false sense of security for system administrators. This vulnerability represents a serious design flaw that violates the principle of least privilege and proper security boundary enforcement.
The security implications of CVE-2005-2145 align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through kernel exploits and defense evasion by manipulating security software components. Organizations using Prevx Pro 2005 should immediately implement mitigation strategies including disabling the vulnerable kernel driver, applying vendor patches when available, and implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized message traffic. System administrators should also consider alternative security solutions that properly validate message sources and implement robust access control mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising network security posture.
This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper kernel driver security design and the necessity of implementing comprehensive input validation and source authentication mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates how insufficient security controls at the kernel level can completely compromise an entire security solution, making it essential for organizations to conduct thorough security assessments of all kernel components and ensure proper validation of all external communications to prevent exploitation by malicious actors.