CVE-2010-5075 in Internet Security
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in aswFW.sys 5.0.594.0 in Avast! Internet Security 5.0 Korean Trial allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and panic) via a crafted IOCTL_ASWFW_COMM_PIDINFO_RESULTS DeviceIoControl request to \\.\aswFW.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5075 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the aswFW.sys kernel driver component of Avast! Internet Security version 5.0 Korean Trial. This vulnerability exists specifically in the handling of DeviceIoControl requests, particularly the IOCTL_ASWFW_COMM_PIDINFO_RESULTS command directed to the \\.\aswFW device interface. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and arithmetic overflow handling within the kernel-mode driver, creating a scenario where malicious input can trigger unexpected behavior in the system's memory management. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they operate at the kernel level where privileges are highest and the potential for system compromise is maximal.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of integer overflow conditions during the processing of IOCTL requests to the Avast kernel driver. When a local user crafts a specially formatted DeviceIoControl request with the IOCTL_ASWFW_COMM_PIDINFO_RESULTS command, the driver fails to properly validate the input parameters, leading to arithmetic overflow in integer calculations. This overflow condition corrupts memory structures within the kernel space, potentially causing system crashes, memory corruption, and ultimately resulting in a kernel panic. The vulnerability specifically affects the Korean Trial version of Avast! Internet Security 5.0, indicating a localized issue that may be tied to specific code modifications or build configurations within that particular distribution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to system stability and availability. Local users who can execute code with sufficient privileges can leverage this flaw to induce denial of service conditions that may require system reboot to resolve. The memory corruption resulting from the integer overflow can lead to unpredictable system behavior, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or exploit additional vulnerabilities present in the kernel. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the kernel panic can result in complete system instability, making this a critical concern for enterprise environments where system uptime and reliability are paramount. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which identifies integer overflow and underflow conditions as a fundamental class of software flaws that can lead to memory corruption and system compromise.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is limited to local users who have the ability to interact with the kernel driver through DeviceIoControl calls, but this access is typically restricted to users with appropriate privileges. However, the low attack complexity combined with the high impact makes this a particularly concerning flaw from a security standpoint. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate error handling in kernel-mode code, which are common patterns identified in ATT&CK framework under the T1068 technique for Local Privilege Escalation. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader assessment of their endpoint security solutions, as it highlights the risks associated with third-party kernel drivers and their potential to serve as attack vectors for system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5075 should focus on immediate remediation through official vendor patches, as Avast would have released updates to address this specific integer overflow condition. System administrators should ensure that all instances of Avast! Internet Security are updated to versions that contain proper input validation and overflow protection mechanisms. Additionally, monitoring for unusual DeviceIoControl activity targeting the aswFW driver interface can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege separation measures can reduce the potential impact of local exploitation, while regular system integrity checks and endpoint detection systems can help identify compromised systems. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper kernel-mode code review processes and adherence to secure coding practices, particularly in security software where kernel-level access is required to perform protective functions.