CVE-2008-4451 in System Analyzer Tool
Summary
by MITRE
The SysInspector AntiStealth driver (esiasdrv.sys) 3.0.65535.0 in ESET System Analyzer Tool 1.1.1.0 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a certain METHOD_NEITHER IOCTL request to \Device\esiasdrv that overwrites a pointer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4451 represents a critical kernel-mode buffer overflow flaw within the SysInspector AntiStealth driver component of ESET System Analyzer Tool version 1.1.1.0. This vulnerability specifically affects the esiasdrv.sys driver with version 3.0.65535.0 and exists in the device communication interface that handles IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests. The flaw manifests when the driver processes METHOD_NEITHER type IOCTL requests sent to the device object \Device\esiasdrv, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to gain elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the driver's IOCTL handling mechanism. When a METHOD_NEITHER IOCTL request is received, the driver fails to properly validate the size or content of the input buffer, allowing an attacker to craft malicious input that overflows a pointer variable within the driver's memory space. This pointer overwrite effectively corrupts the driver's execution flow, enabling arbitrary code execution with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities that can lead to code execution. The attack vector requires local system access since the vulnerability exists within a kernel driver that only accepts requests from local processes, making it a local privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a remote one.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system's kernel space. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code with the highest possible privileges, effectively bypassing all operating system security mechanisms including user access control, memory protection, and integrity checks. This level of access allows for complete system compromise, data exfiltration, persistence establishment, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's presence in ESET's anti-malware tool creates a particularly concerning scenario since the tool is designed to detect and prevent malicious activities, yet contains a flaw that can be exploited to circumvent its own protective measures. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1055.001 (Process Injection: Dynamic-link Library Injection) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as the exploitation leverages legitimate system interfaces to achieve privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary solution involves updating to a patched version of ESET System Analyzer Tool, as the vendor would have addressed the input validation issues in subsequent releases. System administrators should implement the principle of least privilege by restricting local access to systems running ESET tools, particularly in production environments where the risk of exploitation is highest. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity patterns and implementing kernel-mode protection mechanisms such as driver signature enforcement and exploit protection policies can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application control measures and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough security testing for kernel-mode drivers and highlights the critical need for proper input validation and memory management practices in system-level software components that handle user-supplied data.