CVE-2007-4580 in BufferZone
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer underflow in redlight.sys in BufferZone 2.1 and 2.5 allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code by sending a small buffer size value to the FsSetVolumeInformation IOCTL handler code with a FsSetDirectoryInformation subcode containing a large buffer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4580 resides within the redlight.sys kernel driver component of BufferZone security software versions 2.1 and 2.5. This driver operates at the kernel level and handles file system operations through the File System Set Volume Information IOCTL handler interface. The flaw manifests specifically when processing FsSetDirectoryInformation requests with subcode values that trigger buffer underflow conditions. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer underflow condition that occurs when the driver fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them, creating a scenario where memory allocated for buffer operations can be overwritten or accessed beyond its intended boundaries. Such buffer underflow conditions typically arise from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms within the kernel-mode driver code.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires local user access to the system where BufferZone is installed, as the attack vector involves direct interaction with the kernel driver through IOCTL calls. When a malicious user submits a small buffer size value to the FsSetVolumeInformation handler, the driver code attempts to process this request with a large buffer parameter that exceeds the allocated memory boundaries. This misalignment between expected and actual buffer sizes creates a condition where adjacent memory locations become corrupted or overwritten, potentially leading to system instability. The underlying flaw stems from improper input validation within the kernel driver's buffer management routines, where the system does not adequately verify that the buffer size parameter remains within acceptable limits relative to the allocated memory space. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the nature of kernel drivers and their memory management creates unique exploitation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable arbitrary code execution within the kernel context. While the primary effect is system crash and service disruption, the buffer underflow condition creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks that could allow attackers to execute malicious code with kernel-level privileges. The local nature of the attack means that an attacker must already have user-level access to the system, but the potential for privilege escalation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local access is possible. The implications are significant for enterprise security, as kernel-level exploits can bypass traditional user-mode security controls and provide attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates how poorly validated kernel-mode drivers can create attack vectors that undermine the fundamental security model of operating systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4580 should focus on immediate patching of affected BufferZone versions, as vendors typically release security updates to address such kernel-level vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local access to systems running vulnerable software, as the attack requires local user privileges to execute successfully. System monitoring should include detection of unusual IOCTL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on FsSetVolumeInformation calls with anomalous buffer parameters. The vulnerability highlights the importance of kernel-mode driver security reviews and proper input validation practices that align with security standards such as those recommended by the CERT/CC and NIST guidelines for kernel security. Additionally, implementing kernel address space layout randomization and other exploit mitigation techniques can reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-mode exploitation methods that leverage buffer overflow conditions to gain elevated system privileges.