CVE-2007-2174 in ZoneAlarm
Summary
by MITRE
The IOCTL handling in srescan.sys in the ZoneAlarm Spyware Removal Engine (SRE) in Check Point ZoneAlarm before 5.0.156.0 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via certain IOCTL lrp parameter addresses.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2174 resides within the srescan.sys kernel driver component of Check Point ZoneAlarm's Spyware Removal Engine, specifically affecting versions prior to 5.0.156.0. This represents a critical security flaw that demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition in kernel-mode device driver code, where the driver fails to properly validate input parameters received through IOCTL (Input/Output Control) commands. The vulnerability manifests when the driver processes the lrp parameter within specific IOCTL operations, creating an opportunity for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter validation within the kernel driver's IOCTL handling mechanism. When local users submit specially crafted IOCTL requests with malformed lrp parameter addresses, the driver does not perform proper bounds checking or address validation before processing these parameters. This allows attackers to potentially overwrite critical memory locations or redirect execution flow, leading to privilege escalation from user mode to kernel mode. The flaw specifically affects the ZoneAlarm Spyware Removal Engine's ability to safely process external input, creating a pathway for malicious code injection that operates at the highest privilege level of the operating system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running affected versions of ZoneAlarm, as local users can exploit the flaw to gain kernel-level privileges without requiring authentication or elevated access rights. The implications extend beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to bypass security controls, install rootkits, modify system files, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's local nature means that any user with access to the system can potentially exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or when users have legitimate access to systems running vulnerable software.
The security implications of CVE-2007-2174 align with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions in stack-based buffers, and the attack pattern corresponds to privilege escalation techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1068 for locally executed malicious code. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices in kernel-mode drivers, which constitutes a fundamental security weakness that violates secure coding principles. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability represents a clear path to system compromise that can be exploited without sophisticated techniques or special privileges. Remediation efforts should include updating to ZoneAlarm version 5.0.156.0 or later, implementing proper access controls to limit local user privileges, and conducting security assessments to verify system integrity and ensure no exploitation has occurred.