CVE-2010-3396 in Kingsoft Antivirus
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in kavfm.sys in Kingsoft Antivirus 2010.04.26.648 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long argument to IOCTL 0x80030004. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3396 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the kernel-mode driver component of Kingsoft Antivirus software. This specific issue affects versions of the antivirus solution up to and including 2010.04.26.648, where the kavfm.sys driver fails to properly validate input parameters when processing IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests. The buffer overflow occurs specifically when handling IOCTL code 0x80030004, which is typically used for file system monitoring operations within the antivirus framework. This flaw exists at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it operates with elevated privileges and can potentially bypass standard operating system security mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the kernel driver's handling of user-supplied data. When a local attacker provides a specially crafted argument that exceeds the allocated buffer size for IOCTL 0x80030004, the driver's memory management fails to prevent the overflow condition. This results in memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures. The vulnerability manifests as a classic stack-based buffer overflow, where the excessive input overwrites adjacent memory regions, potentially allowing an attacker to redirect execution flow to malicious code. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the broader category of CWE-119: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Buffer Boundary.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides local attackers with the capability to escalate privileges within the system. Since the kavfm.sys driver operates in kernel mode with high privileges, successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain complete system control without requiring additional authentication. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors who may already have limited user access to a target system. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that the vulnerability requires no network connectivity, making it a local privilege escalation vector that can be triggered through direct interaction with the vulnerable driver. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage system vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. The local nature of the attack also means that traditional network-based security controls may not detect or prevent the exploitation, as the attack occurs entirely within the operating system's kernel space.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3396 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates, as the vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent versions of Kingsoft Antivirus. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates from the vendor. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional protective measures such as disabling unnecessary kernel drivers, applying kernel patch protection mechanisms, and monitoring for suspicious driver activity through endpoint detection and response solutions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in kernel-mode drivers, particularly the necessity of proper input validation and bounds checking. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the need for regular security assessments of third-party software components, especially those operating with elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and maintaining detailed system monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The incident underscores the critical requirement for vendors to provide timely security updates and for organizations to maintain robust security hygiene practices to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.