CVE-2007-4969 in Process Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
Process Monitor 1.22 does not properly validate certain parameters to System Service Descriptor Table (SSDT) function handlers, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly gain privileges via unspecified kernel SSDT hooks for Windows Native API functions including (1) NtCreateKey, (2) NtDeleteValueKey, (3) NtLoadKey, (4) NtOpenKey, (5) NtQueryValueKey, (6) NtSetValueKey, and (7) NtUnloadKey.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4969 resides within Process Monitor 1.22, a system monitoring tool that provides detailed information about file system, registry, and process activity on Windows systems. This flaw represents a critical security issue that stems from inadequate parameter validation within the software's implementation of System Service Descriptor Table (SSDT) function handlers. The SSDT serves as a crucial kernel-level interface that maps system service calls to their corresponding kernel routines, making it a prime target for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability specifically affects Windows Native API functions that handle registry operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate kernel-level processes.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation of parameters passed to SSDT function handlers, particularly those associated with registry manipulation functions. When Process Monitor 1.22 attempts to intercept and monitor calls to functions such as NtCreateKey, NtDeleteValueKey, NtLoadKey, NtOpenKey, NtQueryValueKey, NtSetValueKey, and NtUnloadKey, it fails to properly validate the input parameters before processing them. This lack of validation creates opportunities for malformed or malicious parameters to be passed through the kernel interface, potentially causing system instability. The vulnerability falls under CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," which is a fundamental weakness that enables various attack vectors including privilege escalation and denial of service conditions. The specific nature of this flaw suggests that the application does not adequately sanitize or verify the legitimacy of parameters before they are processed by the kernel, leading to potential buffer overflows or other memory corruption issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable privilege escalation attacks. Local users who can execute the vulnerable Process Monitor application can leverage this flaw to crash the system or gain elevated privileges within the kernel context. The affected registry functions are particularly sensitive because they directly manipulate the Windows registry, which contains critical system configuration data and security settings. When these functions are improperly handled through kernel hooks, attackers can potentially manipulate registry entries to modify system behavior, install malicious software, or gain persistent access to the compromised system. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how user-mode applications can be exploited to achieve kernel-level privileges, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, "Local Privilege Escalation," and T1546, "Event Triggered Execution." The fact that multiple registry-related functions are affected suggests a systemic issue in the application's approach to kernel hooking rather than isolated function-level problems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4969 should focus on immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to a patched version of Process Monitor that properly validates SSDT function parameters and implements secure kernel hooking mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as disabling unnecessary kernel-level monitoring tools, restricting user access to system monitoring applications, and monitoring for suspicious registry manipulation patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper kernel-mode security practices and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation at all levels of system operation. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted monitoring tools, as well as regular security audits to identify potential kernel-level vulnerabilities. This particular flaw underscores the necessity of adhering to secure coding practices and following established security frameworks such as those defined in the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) guidelines, which emphasize the critical importance of input validation and proper error handling in system-level code. The vulnerability also emphasizes the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both known and emerging threats in kernel-level environments.