CVE-2014-8608 in K7AV Sentry Device Driver
Summary
by MITRE
The K7Sentry.sys kernel mode driver (aka K7AV Sentry Device Driver) before 12.8.0.119, as used in multiple K7 Computing products, allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference) as demonstrated by a filename containing "crashme{1}quot;.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2022
The CVE-2014-8608 vulnerability affects the K7Sentry.sys kernel mode driver component of K7 Computing products, specifically versions prior to 12.8.0.119. This driver serves as the core kernel-mode component for the K7AV Sentry Device Driver, which is utilized across multiple security products from K7 Computing. The vulnerability manifests as a NULL pointer dereference condition that can be triggered through malicious input handling within the driver's file processing functionality. The demonstration exploit involves a filename containing the specific string "crashme{1}quot;" which causes the driver to attempt to access a NULL memory reference during its normal operation. This particular pattern suggests the driver fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before processing them in kernel space, creating a predictable crash scenario that can be exploited by local users.
The technical flaw resides in the kernel-mode driver's insufficient input validation mechanisms within its file handling routines. When the K7Sentry.sys driver processes filenames containing the malicious pattern, it fails to properly check for valid pointer references before attempting to dereference memory locations. This represents a classic null pointer dereference vulnerability that operates at the kernel level, where the operating system's memory management and privilege separation mechanisms are bypassed. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates in kernel mode, meaning that exploitation can potentially lead to system instability, complete system crashes, or in more severe cases, privilege escalation if additional flaws exist in the driver's architecture. The specific trigger pattern "crashme{1}quot;" suggests that the driver's parsing logic incorrectly handles certain character sequences or fails to properly escape special characters during filename processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service since it represents a fundamental security weakness in the kernel-mode driver component. Local users who can execute code on the system can leverage this vulnerability to force system crashes and potentially disrupt the normal operation of security software that relies on this driver. The vulnerability affects multiple K7 Computing products, indicating a widespread exposure across their security portfolio, which could compromise the integrity of endpoint protection mechanisms. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and system compromise through kernel-mode exploitation. The null pointer dereference creates an opportunity for attackers to cause system instability, which could be used as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks or to mask malicious activities through system disruption. Additionally, this vulnerability could impact the reliability of security monitoring and protection services that depend on the stable operation of kernel-mode drivers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8608 should focus on immediate patching of affected K7 Computing products to version 12.8.0.119 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent the NULL pointer dereference condition. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual system crashes or instability patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode components, which aligns with CWE-476, specifically NULL Pointer Dereference. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as kernel-mode exploit prevention mechanisms and ensuring that kernel drivers undergo thorough security testing before deployment. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability highlights the need for proper driver isolation and memory protection mechanisms, as well as regular security assessments of kernel-mode components to identify similar flaws that could be exploited for privilege escalation or system compromise.