CVE-2010-5159 in Web Security Space
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Race condition in Dr.Web Security Space Pro 6.0.0.03100 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 • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-5159 represents a significant race condition within Dr.Web Security Space Pro 6.0.0.03100 on Windows XP systems that fundamentally undermines the kernel-mode protection mechanisms designed to prevent malicious code execution. This flaw operates at the intersection of kernel-mode and user-mode execution contexts, creating an exploitable window where local attackers can manipulate memory structures during the execution of kernel-mode hook handlers. The vulnerability specifically targets the timing-sensitive operations that occur when these handlers process incoming system calls, allowing for a sophisticated attack pattern that bypasses traditional signature-based detection methods. The race condition manifests when user-space processes modify memory locations that are simultaneously being accessed by kernel-mode hook handlers, creating a temporal gap where the protection mechanisms fail to properly validate the execution context. This particular vulnerability falls under the category of kernel-mode exploitation techniques that leverage timing-based attacks to circumvent security controls.
The technical implementation of this race condition involves an argument-switch attack pattern that exploits the asynchronous nature of kernel-mode hook execution and user-space memory modification. During the execution of a kernel-mode hook handler, an attacker can manipulate memory contents such that the handler processes different arguments than originally intended, effectively allowing malicious code to execute within the context of a legitimate security process. The attack leverages the fact that kernel-mode hook handlers may not properly validate memory contents or argument states when they are interrupted or modified by concurrent user-space operations. This creates a scenario where the security software's own protection mechanisms become ineffective, as the hook handlers are designed to block known malicious patterns but can be tricked into allowing execution through careful manipulation of memory during handler execution. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the synchronization mechanisms between user-space and kernel-space components, where proper atomic operations are not enforced during critical security validation phases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a means to bypass sophisticated kernel-mode protection systems that are specifically designed to detect and prevent malicious code execution. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows local users to execute dangerous code that would normally be blocked by the kernel-mode hook handlers but remains undetected by signature-based malware detection systems. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the very mechanisms designed to protect against malware, turning the security software's own defensive capabilities against itself. This creates a scenario where the security tool becomes a vector for exploitation rather than a protective barrier, potentially allowing attackers to execute code with elevated privileges that could compromise the entire system. The vulnerability's impact is amplified on Windows XP systems where the kernel security model provides fewer protections against such sophisticated timing-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate exploitation vectors and the underlying architectural flaws that enable the race condition. System administrators should implement immediate patching procedures for Dr.Web Security Space Pro, as this vulnerability represents a critical flaw in the product's security architecture that cannot be effectively mitigated through configuration changes alone. The vulnerability's nature suggests that any attempt to address it through traditional security controls will be ineffective, as the flaw exists within the fundamental operation of the security software itself. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and detection mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on anomalous memory access patterns and kernel-mode execution sequences that deviate from normal security software behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper synchronization and atomic operations in kernel-mode security systems, aligning with CWE-362 which addresses race conditions in concurrent systems. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving kernel-mode rootkits and privilege escalation through exploitation of security software, specifically targeting the defense evasion and privilege escalation tactics that attackers use to maintain persistent access to compromised systems.