CVE-2007-3681 in WinPcap
Summary
by MITRE
The IOCTL 9031 (BIOCGSTATS) handler in the NPF.SYS device driver in WinPcap before 4.0.1 allows local users to overwrite memory and execute arbitrary code via malformed Interrupt Request Packet (Irp) parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3681 resides within the NPF.SYS device driver component of WinPcap versions prior to 4.0.1, representing a critical security flaw that enables local privilege escalation through memory corruption. This issue manifests specifically within the IOCTL handler for code 9031, known as BIOCGSTATS, which processes Interrupt Request Packet parameters that are improperly validated. The flaw allows attackers with local access to craft malicious IRP requests that can overwrite arbitrary memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges. This vulnerability directly impacts the Windows operating system's network packet capture functionality and represents a significant threat to systems relying on WinPcap for network monitoring and analysis.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the NPF.SYS driver's BIOCGSTATS handler, which fails to properly sanitize or validate the parameters passed in malformed IRP structures. When legitimate applications or malicious code submit crafted IRP parameters to the BIOCGSTATS IOCTL, the driver processes these inputs without adequate bounds checking or memory protection mechanisms. This lack of proper input validation creates a classic buffer overflow condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical system structures or injecting executable code. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the device driver, making it particularly dangerous as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, while the ATT&CK framework would categorize this under T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3681 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it can be leveraged by malicious actors to establish persistent system footholds, escalate privileges to SYSTEM level access, and potentially facilitate further attacks within a network environment. Systems running vulnerable versions of WinPcap are particularly at risk when users have local access, including employees with standard user accounts who may inadvertently execute malicious code or when attackers gain access through other vectors and use this vulnerability to maintain persistence. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on network monitoring tools, forensic analysis, and packet capture utilities that depend on WinPcap, making it a significant concern for cybersecurity teams and system administrators. Network security monitoring systems that utilize WinPcap for traffic analysis become vulnerable to manipulation, potentially allowing attackers to bypass network security controls or manipulate captured traffic data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3681 focus primarily on immediate remediation through updating to WinPcap version 4.0.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and memory protection mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local user access to systems running WinPcap, while monitoring for suspicious IRP activity or unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of WinPcap and ensure that all network monitoring tools are updated to versions that address this specific memory corruption vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include implementing kernel-mode exploit protection mechanisms, enabling driver signature enforcement, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious IOCTL activity patterns. Regular security audits and patch management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unaddressed in network security infrastructure components.