CVE-2007-4971 in ProSecurity
Summary
by MITRE
ProSecurity 1.40 Beta 2 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 kernel SSDT hooks for Windows Native API functions including (1) NtCreateKey, (2) NtDeleteFile, (3) NtLoadDriver, (4) NtOpenSection, and (5) NtSetSystemTime.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4971 affects ProSecurity 1.40 Beta 2, a security software product designed to protect Windows systems through kernel-level monitoring and control mechanisms. This flaw represents a critical weakness in the software's implementation of kernel-mode SSDT (System Service Descriptor Table) function handlers, which are essential components for intercepting and processing system calls within the Windows operating system. The vulnerability specifically targets the improper validation of parameters passed to these kernel-level functions, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by local malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient parameter validation within the SSDT hooking mechanism employed by ProSecurity. When the software attempts to intercept Windows Native API functions such as NtCreateKey, NtDeleteFile, NtLoadDriver, NtOpenSection, and NtSetSystemTime, it fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them. This lack of validation creates opportunities for malformed or malicious data to be passed through the kernel execution path, potentially causing system instability and unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability manifests as a direct consequence of CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" in software design and implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to include potential privilege escalation capabilities. Local attackers who exploit this vulnerability can cause system crashes through carefully crafted parameter values that trigger kernel-level exceptions, leading to system instability and service disruption. More concerning is the potential for privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain elevated system privileges through manipulation of the kernel-level hooks. This represents a significant concern within the ATT&CK framework under the T1068 category for "Local Privilege Escalation," where adversaries attempt to elevate their access level from standard user to administrator or system level.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires local system access, making it less severe than remote attacks but still highly dangerous in environments where local access is possible or can be gained through other means. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability through social engineering, compromised accounts, or by exploiting other local privilege escalation vectors to reach the target system. The specific functions targeted in the vulnerability provide attackers with access to critical system operations including registry manipulation, file system operations, driver loading, and system time management, all of which could be leveraged for further compromise or persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the ProSecurity software to version 1.40 Beta 3 or later, which contains the necessary parameter validation fixes. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual system behavior or kernel-level exceptions that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit potential attack surface, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other security software components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing kernel-mode exploit detection mechanisms and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting similar vulnerabilities in their environment.