CVE-2008-6000 in TotalCare 2008
Summary
by MITRE
The GDTdiIcpt.sys driver in G DATA AntiVirus 2008, InternetSecurity 2008, and TotalCare 2008 populates kernel registers with IOCTL 0x8317001c input values, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) or gain privileges via a crafted IOCTL request, as demonstrated by execution of the KeSetEvent function with modified register contents.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6000 resides within the GDTdiIcpt.sys kernel driver component of G DATA security software versions 2008, specifically affecting AntiVirus 2008, InternetSecurity 2008, and TotalCare 2008. This represents a critical kernel-mode privilege escalation and denial of service flaw that stems from improper input validation within the driver's handling of Device Control Requests. The vulnerability manifests through IOCTL code 0x8317001c which is processed by the driver's kernel-level interface, creating an opportunity for malicious exploitation.
The technical flaw occurs when the driver accepts input values through the IOCTL interface without proper validation of register contents or parameter boundaries. Specifically, when a local user submits a crafted IOCTL request with the aforementioned code, the driver populates kernel registers with data directly from the input buffer without sufficient sanitization. This improper handling allows for register corruption that can be leveraged to manipulate the execution flow of kernel functions. The demonstration of exploitation involves the KeSetEvent function being executed with modified register contents, which represents a direct manipulation of kernel execution context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to include potential privilege escalation capabilities. Local attackers can leverage this flaw to either crash the system through controlled kernel execution termination or escalate their privileges to kernel level access. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within kernel space, meaning successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass standard operating system security mechanisms. This aligns with CWE-122, which describes improper restriction of operations within a restricted environment, and represents a classic example of a kernel-mode buffer overflow or register manipulation vulnerability.
The exploitation landscape for this vulnerability is significant due to its local nature and the fact that it requires no network connectivity or user interaction. Attackers with local access can leverage this flaw to either crash the system or gain elevated privileges, making it attractive for both denial of service attacks and privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate kernel security boundaries, which are fundamental requirements for maintaining system integrity. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) and T1499 (Endpoint Denial of Service) techniques, highlighting its dual threat potential.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6000 should focus on immediate patching of affected G DATA software versions, as well as implementing kernel-mode protection mechanisms such as kernel address space layout randomization and driver signature enforcement. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary kernel drivers and implementing strict access controls for local user accounts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper kernel driver validation and input sanitization, which should be implemented following security best practices outlined in the CERT/CC secure coding guidelines and Microsoft's Windows Driver Development documentation. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of kernel-mode components and maintain up-to-date security patches for all system software components.