CVE-2010-5152 in Internet Security
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Race condition in AVG Internet Security 9.0.791 on Windows XP allows local users to bypass kernel-mode hook handlers, and execute dangerous code that would otherwise be blocked by a handler but not blocked by signature-based malware detection, via certain user-space memory changes during hook-handler execution, aka an argument-switch attack or a KHOBE attack. NOTE: this issue is disputed by some third parties because it is a flaw in a protection mechanism for situations where a crafted program has already begun to execute.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-5152 represents a sophisticated race condition flaw within AVG Internet Security 9.0.791 that specifically targets the kernel-mode hook handler mechanism on Windows XP systems. This security weakness falls under the category of a race condition vulnerability, which is classified as CWE-362 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw exploits the timing window between user-space memory modifications and kernel-mode hook handler execution, creating a window where malicious code can potentially bypass critical security protections that would normally intercept and block harmful operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on an argument-switch attack or what is commonly referred to as a KHOBE (Kernel Hook Obfuscation and Exploitation) attack pattern. During the execution of kernel-mode hook handlers, local users can manipulate user-space memory contents in such a way that the hook handler operates on modified arguments rather than the intended parameters. This manipulation occurs precisely during the brief window when the kernel-mode handler is processing user-space data, allowing attackers to effectively redirect the hook handler's behavior to execute malicious code that would normally be blocked by the security system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant within the context of endpoint protection systems, as it demonstrates how protection mechanisms can be circumvented through careful timing attacks against kernel-mode components. The attack vector specifically targets the Windows XP operating system environment where AVG Internet Security 9.0.791 was deployed, highlighting the importance of proper synchronization mechanisms in kernel-mode code. This vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in how the security software handles concurrent access to protected resources during the hook execution process, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion.
Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at a level below traditional signature-based malware detection systems, making it difficult to identify through conventional means. The fact that this issue is disputed by some third parties reflects the complex nature of security vulnerabilities in protection mechanisms, where the attack scenario assumes that a malicious program has already begun execution and is attempting to evade detection through kernel-level manipulation. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for proper race condition handling in security software components and highlights the importance of implementing robust synchronization mechanisms to prevent such timing-based attacks from succeeding.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on addressing the underlying race condition in the kernel-mode hook handler implementation. System administrators should ensure that AVG Internet Security is updated to versions that properly address this race condition, as the original version 9.0.791 contained the flaw. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious kernel-mode activities and consider alternative security solutions that do not rely on potentially vulnerable hook-based detection mechanisms. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper concurrency control in security-critical code and the need for thorough testing of protection mechanisms under various timing conditions to prevent exploitation through race condition attacks.