CVE-2014-100039 in Anti-Exploit
Summary
by MITRE
mbae.sys in Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit before 1.05.1.2014 allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted size in an unspecified IOCTL call, which triggers an out-of-bounds read. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-100039 affects the mbae.sys kernel driver component of Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit version 1.05.1.2014 and earlier. This represents a critical security flaw within the anti-exploitation software that is designed to protect systems from malicious attacks. The vulnerability specifically resides in the kernel-mode driver responsible for handling system-level operations, making it particularly dangerous as it operates with elevated privileges and can potentially compromise the entire system when exploited.
The technical flaw manifests through an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when processing an IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command with a crafted size parameter. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where an application accesses memory beyond its allocated bounds. The vulnerability is triggered when the mbae.sys driver receives an IOCTL call containing an invalid or maliciously crafted size value that causes the driver to attempt reading memory locations that are outside the intended buffer boundaries, leading to system instability and potential crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service as it provides attackers with a method to crash the target system reliably. Local users who can interact with the vulnerable driver can exploit this condition to cause system crashes or reboots, effectively creating a persistent denial of service condition. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to potentially disrupt the operation of legitimate security software that is designed to protect against exploitation attempts, thereby undermining the security posture of the affected system. The fact that this vulnerability exists within anti-exploitation software creates a particularly dangerous scenario where the very tool meant to prevent attacks can be used to disable protection mechanisms.
The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires minimal privileges since it operates at the kernel level and can be triggered by local users. The out-of-bounds read condition creates a predictable crash scenario that attackers can leverage to either disrupt system operations or potentially use as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that it affects a security product that is commonly deployed on endpoint systems, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to compromise systems through indirect means. Organizations should consider implementing mitigations including immediate patching of the affected software, monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity, and ensuring that the vulnerable driver is not exposed to untrusted users. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as it can be used to disrupt security controls and potentially gain further access to compromised systems.