CVE-2010-0705 in Antivirus Home
Summary
by MITRE
Aavmker4.sys in avast! 4.8 through 4.8.1368.0 and 5.0 before 5.0.418.0 running on Windows 2000 and XP does not properly validate input to IOCTL 0xb2d60030, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) or execute arbitrary code to gain privileges via IOCTL requests using crafted kernel addresses that trigger memory corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0705 resides within the Aavmker4.sys kernel driver component of avast! antivirus software versions 4.8 through 4.8.1368.0 and 5.0 before 5.0.418.0. This issue specifically affects systems running Windows 2000 and XP operating systems where the driver fails to properly validate input parameters during IOCTL (Input/Output Control) operations. The flaw manifests through IOCTL command 0xb2d60030 which serves as a critical interface point between user-mode applications and kernel-mode driver functionality. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when the driver processes malformed input data without adequate validation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the kernel driver's handling of IOCTL requests. When a local user crafts specific kernel addresses and submits them through the vulnerable IOCTL interface, the driver's memory management routines become corrupted, leading to unpredictable behavior. This memory corruption can manifest in two primary ways: system crashes due to kernel memory corruption or privilege escalation opportunities that allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The attack vector operates entirely within the local system context, requiring no network connectivity but demanding that an attacker already possess user-level access to the compromised system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass serious privilege escalation risks. Systems running affected avast! versions become susceptible to local attackers who can leverage this flaw to execute code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing standard operating system security boundaries. The vulnerability affects Windows 2000 and XP platforms specifically, which were already considered legacy operating systems by 2010, making the exploitation scenario particularly concerning for organizations maintaining older infrastructure. The fact that this vulnerability exists in kernel-mode drivers means that successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, potentially allowing attackers to install persistent backdoors, modify system files, or extract sensitive data. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, and T1566, which addresses initial access through exploitation of vulnerabilities in software applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0705 primarily involve immediate software updates and patches provided by avast versions that have resolved this vulnerability, specifically versions 4.8.1368.0 and 5.0.418.0 or later. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as disabling unnecessary driver services, applying the principle of least privilege, and monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of kernel driver security testing and input validation in security-critical software components. Given that this vulnerability affects legacy operating systems, organizations should also consider migrating away from unsupported platforms to reduce their overall attack surface and vulnerability exposure. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unauthorized IOCTL operations and abnormal memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts against similar kernel-mode vulnerabilities.