CVE-2010-4502 in Internet Security Suite Plus 2010
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in KmxSbx.sys 6.2.0.22 in CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2010 allows local users to cause a denial of service (pool corruption) and execute arbitrary code via crafted arguments to the 0x88000080 IOCTL, which triggers a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-4502 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the KmxSbx.sys kernel driver component of CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2010. This issue resides in the device driver's handling of the 0x88000080 IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command, which is typically used for communication between user-mode applications and kernel-mode drivers in Windows operating systems. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of input parameters passed to the driver, specifically when processing crafted arguments that trigger a buffer overflow condition. The integer overflow occurs during the calculation of buffer sizes or array indices, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by local attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow scenario where an attacker can manipulate input data to cause integer arithmetic to wrap around to a smaller value, resulting in insufficient buffer allocation. When the driver processes the malicious IOCTL request, the flawed integer overflow allows an attacker to control the memory layout and potentially overwrite critical kernel structures. This flaw operates at the kernel level within the Windows driver model, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to escalate privileges from standard user accounts to SYSTEM level access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow or wraparound error, which occurs when a calculation produces a result that exceeds the maximum value that can be stored in the target data type. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations running CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2010, as local attackers with minimal privileges can leverage this flaw to achieve arbitrary code execution and denial of service conditions. The pool corruption aspect indicates that the vulnerability can lead to memory pool corruption, which may result in system crashes or instability. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. The impact extends beyond individual systems to enterprise environments where this security suite might be deployed across multiple endpoints, creating a potential attack vector for lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability's local nature means that it requires local system access to exploit, but once exploited, the attacker can achieve persistent access with system-level privileges, making it particularly concerning for organizations with limited security monitoring capabilities.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4502 should include immediate deployment of vendor patches from CA Technologies, which would address the integer overflow by implementing proper input validation and boundary checking. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel mode driver validation, application whitelisting policies, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it enables attackers to execute code with elevated privileges and potentially establish persistence. System administrators should also consider disabling or removing the vulnerable driver if it is not essential for business operations, and implement regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other kernel drivers. The incident underscores the importance of proper input validation and integer overflow protection in kernel-mode code, as outlined in security standards such as the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and Microsoft's Windows Driver Development guidelines, which emphasize the need for robust boundary checking and secure coding practices in driver development to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into security software products.