CVE-2010-5172 in Panda Internet Security 2010
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Race condition in Panda Internet Security 2010 15.01.00 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 • 07/24/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-5172 represents a significant race condition within Panda Internet Security 2010 version 15.01.00 on Windows XP systems. This flaw exists in the kernel-mode hook handler mechanism that forms a critical component of the antivirus software's protection framework. The race condition occurs during the execution of kernel-mode hooks, creating a temporal window where malicious code can manipulate user-space memory in a manner that circumvents the security protections designed to block dangerous operations. The vulnerability specifically affects systems running Windows XP, which was already approaching end-of-life status by 2010, making such targeted attacks particularly concerning given the limited security updates available for these platforms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves what is commonly referred to as an argument-switch attack or KHOBE (Kernel Hook Obfuscation and Exploitation) attack pattern. During the execution of kernel-mode hook handlers, a local attacker can manipulate memory contents in user-space processes to alter the arguments passed to the hooked functions. This manipulation effectively allows malicious code to bypass the kernel-mode protection mechanisms that would normally intercept and block dangerous operations. The flaw demonstrates a classic race condition where the timing of memory modifications during hook execution creates a window of opportunity for attackers to inject malicious behavior that would normally be detected and blocked by signature-based malware detection systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model of the kernel-mode protection system. When a local user can bypass kernel-mode hooks, they effectively gain the ability to execute arbitrary code that would normally be prevented by the security framework. This creates a dangerous scenario where malware can operate undetected in kernel space, potentially gaining complete system control while evading both behavioral monitoring and signature-based detection mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification as a race condition (cwe-362) demonstrates the fundamental timing issue that allows for the bypass of critical security controls, making it particularly challenging to defend against since it exploits the inherent temporal nature of the protection mechanism itself.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques. The attack leverages the concept of kernel hooking as a primary attack surface, which corresponds to techniques used in advanced persistent threat campaigns. The vulnerability's disputed nature reflects ongoing debates within the security community about whether such flaws represent legitimate security weaknesses or represent exploitation of already compromised systems. The issue highlights the complexity of modern antivirus architectures where the protection mechanisms themselves can become attack vectors when not properly synchronized with system execution flows. Organizations deploying legacy security solutions like Panda Internet Security 2010 should consider the implications of such vulnerabilities, especially when operating in environments where local privilege escalation remains a concern. The vulnerability demonstrates how even sophisticated protection frameworks can contain fundamental design flaws that allow attackers to subvert their own defensive mechanisms through careful manipulation of execution timing and memory state.