CVE-2009-0682 in Internet Security Suite
Summary
by MITRE
vetmonnt.sys in CA Internet Security Suite r3, vetmonnt.sys before 9.0.0.184 in Internet Security Suite r4, and vetmonnt.sys before 10.0.0.217 in Internet Security Suite r5 do not properly verify IOCTL calls, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a crafted call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0682 affects the vetmonnt.sys kernel driver component within CA Internet Security Suite versions 3, 4, and 5. This driver serves as a core monitoring component responsible for system security operations and communication with the operating system kernel. The flaw resides in the driver's insufficient validation of Input/Output Control (IOCTL) requests, which are fundamental mechanisms used by user-mode applications to interact with kernel-mode drivers. The improper IOCTL verification creates a critical security gap that can be exploited by local attackers to manipulate the driver's behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the driver's dispatch routine that handles IOCTL requests. When a user-mode application sends a crafted IOCTL command to the vetmonnt.sys driver, the driver fails to properly validate the request parameters, specifically the control code and associated data structures. This validation failure allows malicious inputs to bypass normal security checks and potentially trigger buffer overflows, invalid memory access, or other kernel-level errors. The vulnerability specifically affects local users who already have system access, making it a privilege escalation risk that can be leveraged for denial of service attacks. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in input validation, specifically CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, and may also align with CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow when memory corruption occurs during IOCTL processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as local attackers can leverage this weakness to disrupt system operations and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability causes system instability leading to kernel-level crashes and system reboots, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can be used to disrupt legitimate system operations. The attack vector requires local system access, making it particularly concerning for environments where privilege escalation is possible or where users have access to system resources. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the CA Internet Security Suite, indicating a persistent flaw in the driver's design that was not adequately addressed across different product iterations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.003: Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell, as local users can execute commands through the vulnerable driver interface, and T1490: Inhibit System Recovery, since system crashes can be used to prevent normal system recovery procedures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0682 require immediate attention through software updates and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of CA Internet Security Suite, specifically versions 9.0.0.184 for r4 and 10.0.0.217 for r5, which address the IOCTL validation issues. System administrators should implement least privilege principles to limit local user access and reduce the attack surface for exploitation. Additionally, monitoring for abnormal system behavior, including unexpected kernel crashes or restarts, can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper kernel driver security practices, including comprehensive input validation, proper memory management, and adherence to secure coding standards. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to prevent unauthorized local access to systems running vulnerable software versions, while regular security assessments should verify that all security patches have been properly applied across the enterprise environment.