CVE-2007-5042 in Outpost Firewall
Summary
by MITRE
Outpost Firewall Pro 4.0.1025.7828 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 the (1) NtCreateKey, (2) NtDeleteFile, (3) NtLoadDriver, (4) NtOpenProcess, (5) NtOpenSection, (6) NtOpenThread, and (7) NtUnloadDriver kernel SSDT hooks, a partial regression of CVE-2006-7160.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5042 represents a critical flaw in Outpost Firewall Pro version 4.0.1025.7828 that stems from inadequate parameter validation within the System Service Descriptor Table (SSDT) function handlers. This issue affects multiple kernel-level system calls including NtCreateKey, NtDeleteFile, NtLoadDriver, NtOpenProcess, NtOpenSection, NtOpenThread, and NtUnloadDriver, creating a significant attack surface for local adversaries seeking to exploit the system's security mechanisms. The vulnerability constitutes a partial regression of CVE-2006-7160, indicating that previously addressed security concerns have reappeared or been inadequately resolved in the updated firewall implementation.
The technical flaw manifests through improper validation of parameters passed to SSDT function handlers, which are integral components of the Windows kernel responsible for managing system services and security operations. When local users submit malformed or unauthorized parameters to these specific system calls, the firewall's kernel modules fail to properly sanitize or validate the inputs before processing them. This lack of input validation creates opportunities for privilege escalation and system instability, as the kernel's security boundaries are effectively bypassed through carefully crafted parameter manipulation. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can directly compromise the operating system's core security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to include potential privilege escalation capabilities that could allow local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. A successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, as attackers could leverage the vulnerable SSDT hooks to gain unauthorized access to system resources, modify critical system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The denial of service aspect creates immediate operational disruption, potentially causing system crashes or reboots that could impact availability and integrity of services. The vulnerability's persistence across versions suggests that the underlying architectural flaw was not adequately addressed during the firewall's development cycle.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Outpost Firewall Pro software to address the parameter validation issues in the SSDT handlers. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local user privileges where possible, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Monitoring for suspicious system call patterns and implementing behavioral analysis tools can help detect exploitation attempts before they succeed. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion through kernel manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms and regularly reviewing kernel module integrity to prevent unauthorized modifications that could exacerbate the vulnerability's impact.