CVE-2010-5183 in Internet Security Essentials
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Race condition in Webroot Internet Security Essentials 6.1.0.145 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 • 08/16/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-5183 represents a significant race condition within Webroot Internet Security Essentials version 6.1.0.145 on Windows XP systems. This flaw exists in the kernel-mode hook handler mechanism that is designed to monitor and block malicious activities at the system level. The race condition occurs during the execution of kernel-mode handlers, creating a temporary window where system protections can be circumvented through carefully orchestrated user-space memory modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a timing issue where local users can manipulate memory contents while kernel-mode hook handlers are actively processing. This creates what security researchers term an argument-switch attack or KHOBE (Kernel Hook Obfuscation and Evasion) attack pattern. The flaw specifically targets the synchronization mechanisms between user-space and kernel-space components, allowing attackers to modify arguments or memory structures that are being processed by the hook handlers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-362, which describes race conditions that can lead to security flaws due to improper synchronization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to bypass kernel-mode protections that are specifically designed to block malicious code execution. While traditional signature-based malware detection might not identify the malicious activity, the kernel-mode hook handlers should have prevented the dangerous code from executing. However, the race condition enables attackers to switch arguments or modify memory contents during handler execution, effectively rendering the kernel protection mechanisms ineffective. This creates a scenario where malicious code that would normally be blocked by the security software can execute successfully, potentially leading to system compromise.
This vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the design of kernel-mode protection systems, where the assumption that kernel-space protections are immutable proves incorrect when race conditions are present. The attack vector specifically targets local users who already have some level of system access, but the implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation. The fact that this issue is disputed by third parties highlights the complexity of determining whether such vulnerabilities represent true security flaws or represent legitimate edge cases in protection mechanisms. However, the underlying race condition represents a legitimate concern for system security, as it demonstrates that protection mechanisms can be circumvented through carefully timed memory modifications during critical execution phases.
The implications of this vulnerability extend to the broader category of kernel-mode security bypass techniques and highlight the importance of proper synchronization mechanisms in security-critical code. Attackers exploiting such vulnerabilities can potentially gain deeper system access than would normally be possible, as they can circumvent protections that are specifically designed to prevent malicious code execution at the kernel level. This type of attack pattern represents a sophisticated approach to bypassing security controls and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing that includes timing-based attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability would require either patching the race condition in the Webroot software or implementing additional system-level protections that prevent the type of memory manipulation that enables the attack. System administrators should ensure that Webroot Internet Security Essentials is updated to versions that address this race condition, while also implementing monitoring for unusual memory modification patterns. The vulnerability also emphasizes the importance of proper kernel-mode synchronization and the need for security software to be resilient against timing-based attacks that exploit race conditions in protection mechanisms.