CVE-2008-1931 in HD Audio Codec Drivers
Summary
by MITRE
Realtek HD Audio Codec Drivers RTKVHDA.sys and RTKVHDA64.sys before 6.0.1.5605 on Windows Vista allow local users to create, write, and read registry keys via a crafted IOCTL request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1931 affects Realtek HD Audio Codec drivers RTKVHDA.sys and RTKVHDA64.sys versions prior to 6.0.1.5605 on Windows Vista operating systems. This represents a significant security flaw in audio driver software that could be exploited by local attackers to gain unauthorized access to system registry components. The issue stems from insufficient input validation within the driver's implementation of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) handling mechanisms, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized system modifications.
The technical flaw manifests through improper validation of IOCTL requests sent to the Realtek audio drivers. When a crafted IOCTL request is processed by the vulnerable driver components, it allows local users to perform registry operations including creation, writing, and reading of registry keys without proper authorization. This vulnerability falls under CWE-170, which addresses issues related to improper input handling and validation, specifically concerning the manipulation of system registry components through driver interfaces. The lack of proper access control checks within the driver's IOCTL handling code creates an attack surface where malicious users can exploit the interface to modify critical system registry entries.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a serious risk to Windows Vista systems as it enables local privilege escalation attacks. An attacker with low-privilege access to the system can leverage this flaw to manipulate registry settings that control audio device behavior and potentially other system components. The impact extends beyond simple audio functionality as registry modifications can affect system stability, security policies, and could serve as a foothold for further exploitation. Attackers might use this vulnerability to disable security features, modify system configurations, or establish persistence mechanisms within the target environment. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Local Privilege Escalation" and T1112 which addresses "Modify Registry" operations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires local system access but does not require network connectivity, making it particularly concerning for environments where physical access control is insufficient. The attack vector involves crafting specific IOCTL requests that bypass normal driver security checks, allowing registry manipulation that could be used to modify audio driver behavior or access sensitive system configurations. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments as it represents a potential pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to systems. Mitigation efforts should include immediate deployment of Realtek's patched drivers version 6.0.1.5605 or later, along with regular security updates and monitoring for unusual registry modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of driver security validation and proper input sanitization in system components that interface with core operating system functions. The issue highlights how audio drivers and other hardware abstraction layers can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented. Security professionals should implement comprehensive monitoring for registry access patterns and maintain updated driver inventories to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other hardware components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the need for robust security testing of kernel-mode drivers and the importance of maintaining current driver versions to protect against known security flaws that could be exploited by adversaries.