CVE-2007-2083 in ZoneAlarm
Summary
by MITRE
vsdatant.sys in Check Point Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Pro before 7.0.302.000 does not validate certain arguments before being passed to hooked SSDT function handlers, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via crafted arguments to the (1) NtCreateKey and (2) NtDeleteFile functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2083 affects the vsdatant.sys driver component of Check Point Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Pro security software, specifically versions prior to 7.0.302.000. This driver operates at the kernel level and interfaces with the Windows operating system through the System Service Descriptor Table (SSDT) to handle various system calls. The flaw resides in how the driver processes arguments for two critical Windows API functions, NtCreateKey and NtDeleteFile, which are fundamental to system operation and registry management. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient input validation within kernel-mode drivers, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the driver's failure to properly validate parameters passed to hooked SSDT functions. When the vsdatant.sys driver intercepts calls to NtCreateKey and NtDeleteFile, it does not perform adequate checks on the input arguments before processing them. This validation gap allows malicious actors to craft specially crafted parameters that can manipulate the driver's behavior in unexpected ways. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses normal user-mode security controls and operates with the highest system privileges. The lack of argument validation creates opportunities for both denial of service conditions through system crashes and potential code execution scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to encompass potential full system compromise. Local users with access to the system can exploit this flaw to either crash the operating system through carefully constructed arguments that cause kernel panics or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. This dual nature makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for environments where local access might be gained through social engineering, compromised accounts, or other attack vectors. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the Windows kernel security model by allowing unauthorized code execution and system manipulation through legitimate system call interfaces. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the validation of input arguments within kernel-mode drivers, specifically CWE-252, which deals with unchecked return values, and CWE-755, which addresses improper handling of exceptional conditions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected ZoneAlarm Pro software to version 7.0.302.000 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to validate input arguments properly. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual system behavior or kernel-level activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation,' and T1059, covering 'Command and Scripting Interpreter,' as exploitation could enable attackers to execute commands with elevated privileges. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel-mode driver signing requirements and monitoring for unauthorized driver installations. The incident highlights the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode components and demonstrates how seemingly minor validation gaps can lead to severe system compromise. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their endpoint protection software to identify similar vulnerabilities in other security drivers and kernel components.