CVE-2011-3987 in DAEMON Tools
Summary
by MITRE
dtsoftbus01.sys in DAEMON Tools Lite before 4.41.3, Pro Standard before 4.41.0315, and Pro Advanced before 4.41.0315 allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via an invalid DeviceIoControl request to \\.\dtsoftbusctl.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3987 represents a critical flaw in the DAEMON Tools software suite, specifically within the dtsoftbus01.sys kernel driver component. This issue affects multiple versions of DAEMON Tools Lite, Pro Standard, and Pro Advanced, creating a significant security concern for users who employ these disk image mounting tools. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the kernel-mode driver, which fails to properly handle malformed DeviceIoControl requests directed to the named pipe \.\dtsoftbusctl. This particular device control interface serves as the primary communication channel between user-mode applications and the kernel driver, making it a prime target for exploitation attempts. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious requests that trigger unexpected behavior in the kernel driver, ultimately leading to system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow or input validation error within kernel-space code, where the dtsoftbus01.sys driver does not adequately sanitize or validate incoming DeviceIoControl parameters. When a local user submits an invalid DeviceIoControl request to the \.\dtsoftbusctl endpoint, the driver processes this input without proper bounds checking or parameter validation, resulting in memory corruption or execution flow disruption. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of the length of input data, and CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds write operations. The kernel driver's failure to implement proper input validation creates a path for privilege escalation and system compromise, as the driver operates with elevated privileges in kernel space. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges to exploit, as local users can trigger the condition through normal application usage.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3987 extends beyond simple denial of service, potentially creating a vector for more sophisticated attacks within compromised systems. When the system crashes due to this vulnerability, it can result in unexpected reboots or system hangs that disrupt normal operations, particularly in enterprise environments where reliability is paramount. The vulnerability affects systems running vulnerable versions of DAEMON Tools, which are commonly used for mounting disk images, creating virtual drives, and managing optical media. Attackers could leverage this weakness to establish persistent access points or to create conditions that mask more serious attacks. The local privilege escalation aspect of this vulnerability means that even users with standard accounts could potentially destabilize systems or create conditions that facilitate further exploitation. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk for organizations that have not updated their DAEMON Tools installations, as it provides a straightforward path for system disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3987 primarily focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to DAEMON Tools versions that have patched this vulnerability, specifically versions 4.41.3 for Lite, 4.41.0315 for Pro Standard, and 4.41.0315 for Pro Advanced. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all instances of vulnerable software are identified and updated across their networks. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies can prevent execution of unauthorized kernel drivers, while monitoring for unusual DeviceIoControl activity on the affected named pipe can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as attackers may attempt to leverage this vulnerability through system command execution. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to systems running vulnerable software and establish incident response procedures for detecting and responding to potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated DAEMON Tools installations to prevent this vulnerability from being used as an initial access vector in broader attack campaigns.