CVE-2012-0321 in Internet Security
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the device driver in Kingsoft Internet Security 2011 allows local users to cause a denial of service via a crafted application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0321 resides within the device driver component of Kingsoft Internet Security 2011, representing a critical security flaw that enables local attackers to execute denial of service attacks. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms within the kernel-mode driver code, which processes system calls from user-mode applications without adequate sanitization of potentially malicious inputs. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability suggests that the root cause could involve buffer overflows, improper memory management, or other low-level programming errors that manifest when the driver encounters crafted data structures or malformed requests from malicious applications. Such vulnerabilities in device drivers are particularly dangerous because they operate at the kernel level with elevated privileges, making them prime targets for exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user crafts a specially designed application that interacts with the vulnerable device driver through system calls or direct device access interfaces. The flaw likely manifests when the driver fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, allowing malicious data to trigger unexpected behavior within the kernel space. This could result in system crashes, application hangs, or complete system instability that prevents normal operation of the security software and potentially impacts overall system functionality. The attack vector is classified as local privilege escalation since the exploit requires local system access but does not need elevated privileges to initiate. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read errors, both of which are common in device driver implementations where memory management is critical.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0321 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the integrity of the entire security infrastructure. When the device driver becomes unstable or crashes, the affected security software may cease to function properly, leaving the system vulnerable to other threats that the security suite was designed to prevent. This creates a dangerous paradox where the system's defensive mechanisms are undermined by an internal vulnerability. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor software development practices in the area of kernel-mode programming and memory management, as proper bounds checking and input validation should have been implemented to prevent such scenarios. Organizations relying on Kingsoft Internet Security 2011 would face significant operational risks, including potential service interruptions, system downtime, and increased exposure to malware or other cyber threats during the period when the vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or updates that fix the underlying driver implementation issues. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on system crash reports, driver instability, and unusual resource consumption patterns. From a defensive perspective, implementing principle of least privilege and restricting local user access to system-critical components can help reduce the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious driver interactions or abnormal system behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews for kernel-mode components, particularly in security software where the attack surface is inherently larger due to the comprehensive system access required for effective threat detection and prevention. This issue reinforces the necessity of adhering to secure coding practices and following established security frameworks such as those recommended by the Center for Internet Security and NIST guidelines for kernel-level development and security hardening.