CVE-2010-5164 in Personal Firewall 9
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Race condition in KingSoft Personal Firewall 9 Plus 2009.05.07.70 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 • 07/03/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-5164 represents a significant race condition within KingSoft Personal Firewall 9 Plus version 2009.05.07.70 on Windows XP systems. This flaw exists within the kernel-mode hook handler mechanism that is designed to monitor and control system calls, particularly those that could indicate malicious activity. The race condition occurs during the execution of hook handlers when user-space processes attempt to modify memory locations that are currently being processed by kernel-mode components. This timing issue creates a window of opportunity where malicious code can exploit the temporary vulnerability in the protection system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the firewall's kernel-mode drivers. When the hook handler executes, it processes specific memory regions that contain information about system calls and potential threats. However, the race condition allows local attackers to manipulate user-space memory contents during this processing phase, effectively causing the hook handler to operate on corrupted or modified data. This particular attack vector is classified as an argument-switch attack or KHOBE (Kernel Hook Obfuscation Exploitation) attack, where the malicious process temporarily alters the arguments passed to kernel-mode functions, thereby bypassing the intended security controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious threat to system security as it allows local users to circumvent kernel-mode protection mechanisms that would normally prevent dangerous code execution. The attack specifically targets the kernel-mode hook handlers that are designed to detect and block potentially malicious activities before they can cause harm. Since the attack occurs during the execution of legitimate security checks, it essentially creates a scenario where the firewall's own protection mechanisms become ineffective against certain types of threats. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to execute code that would normally be blocked by the hook handlers but remains undetected by signature-based malware detection systems that rely on different detection methodologies.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally undermines the integrity of the firewall's protection system. Attackers can leverage this race condition to bypass security controls that are specifically designed to prevent malicious activities, potentially allowing the execution of malware that would otherwise be blocked by the personal firewall's kernel-mode components. This creates a dangerous scenario where the very security mechanism intended to protect the system becomes a point of weakness that can be exploited by local users with minimal privileges. The vulnerability's classification as disputed by some third parties stems from the fact that it exploits a flaw in the protection mechanism rather than a fundamental system vulnerability, but it remains a legitimate concern for systems running the affected firewall version.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the broader ATT&CK framework, particularly under techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion. The attack pattern aligns with T1055 (Process Injection) and T1068 (Local Port Forwarding) as it leverages kernel-mode hook mechanisms to execute code that bypasses normal security controls. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability relates to CWE-362 (Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) as it involves improper synchronization of shared kernel resources and unauthorized access to kernel-mode functions. The vulnerability demonstrates how complex interaction between user-space and kernel-space components can create unexpected security gaps, particularly when race conditions are not properly addressed during development of security-critical software components. Organizations should ensure that all firewall and security software components are updated to versions that address this specific race condition, and implement additional monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.