CVE-2009-4832 in DESlock
Summary
by MITRE
The dlpcrypt.sys kernel driver 0.1.1.27 in DESlock+ 4.0.2 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted IOCTL 0x80012010 request to the DLPCryptCore device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4832 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the dlpcrypt.sys kernel driver component of DESlock+ version 4.0.2. This kernel-mode driver serves as a core element in the encryption software's architecture, handling cryptographic operations and system-level interactions. The vulnerability specifically manifests through improper input validation within the driver's IOCTL handling mechanism, creating a path for local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The affected driver version 0.1.1.27 contains a flaw that allows malicious input through a specific IOCTL command with the identifier 0x80012010, which targets the DLPCryptCore device interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user crafts a specially formatted IOCTL request to the vulnerable kernel driver. This particular IOCTL number 0x80012010 represents a command that should normally be processed securely within the driver's kernel context, but due to insufficient validation and sanitization of input parameters, it allows for memory corruption or arbitrary code execution. The flaw stems from the driver's failure to properly validate user-supplied input parameters before processing them, which creates a buffer overflow or similar memory corruption condition that can be leveraged to escalate privileges from user-level to kernel-level execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, though it more specifically represents a kernel-mode buffer overflow that can be exploited for privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to systems running DESlock+ 4.0.2 as it allows any local user account to potentially gain SYSTEM-level privileges. The attack requires only local access to the system and does not necessitate network connectivity or authentication, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or when users have legitimate access to systems. Once exploited, the attacker gains complete control over the system, including the ability to read and modify any file, install malicious software, create new user accounts, and access all system resources. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that DESlock+ is often deployed in enterprise environments where users may have varying levels of access, and the privilege escalation could be used to bypass security controls and access sensitive data.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly within the privilege escalation and defense evasion domains. The technique maps to ATT&CK tactic T1068 (Local Port Forwarding) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage the elevated privileges to execute malicious code or establish persistence. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1543 (Create or Modify System Process) as the escalation allows for modification of system processes and kernel components. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their security assessments and incident response planning, as it represents a common attack vector that has been widely documented in security research and exploitation frameworks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of kernel-mode driver security and proper input validation in security-critical software components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the DESlock+ software to version 4.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the IOCTL handling mechanism. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including disabling unnecessary device drivers, implementing strict access controls for system interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity. The principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit local user access where possible, and regular security audits should verify that only authorized drivers are loaded into the system. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel-mode protection mechanisms such as Windows Driver Verifier and kernel address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode components and the potential consequences of inadequate security testing in security software products.