CVE-2008-5048 in Anti-Trojan Elite
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Atepmon.sys in ISecSoft Anti-Trojan Elite 4.2.1 and earlier, and possibly 4.2.2, allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via long inputs to the 0x00222494 IOCTL.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5048 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting the Atepmon.sys kernel driver component of ISecSoft Anti-Trojan Elite software versions 4.2.1 and earlier, with potential impact extending to version 4.2.2. This flaw exists within the device driver's handling of input parameters through a specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) interface designated by the code 0x00222494. The affected driver operates at kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially be exploited to gain elevated privileges or cause system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the kernel driver's IOCTL handling routine. When a local user submits excessively long input data to the designated IOCTL interface, the driver fails to properly bounds-check the incoming parameters before processing them. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the kernel space, leading to unpredictable behavior including system crashes or potential code execution. The buffer overflow occurs in the driver's internal memory management structure, where fixed-size buffers are used to store user-supplied data without proper validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable arbitrary code execution within the kernel context. Local attackers who can submit malicious input to the vulnerable IOCTL interface gain the ability to manipulate kernel memory space, which could result in privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability affects systems running the vulnerable software version, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple users may have access to the system. The attack vector requires local system access, but the potential for privilege escalation makes it a significant concern for system administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5048 should focus on immediate software updates to versions that address the buffer overflow condition in the Atepmon.sys driver. System administrators should implement the latest security patches provided by ISecSoft, as these updates typically include proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Additionally, implementing kernel-mode driver signature enforcement and restricting local user access to potentially vulnerable system components can help reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may map to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint protection solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting kernel drivers.