CVE-2017-14962 in anti.virus
Summary
by MITRE
In IKARUS anti.virus before 2.16.18, the ntguard.sys driver contains an Out of Bounds Write vulnerability because of not validating input values from IOCtl 0x83000058, a related issue to CVE-2017-17112.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14962 affects the IKARUS anti.virus software version 2.16.17 and earlier, specifically targeting the ntguard.sys kernel driver component. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes the system to potential exploitation through improper input validation mechanisms within the driver's handling of specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) operations. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the driver processes IOCTL code 0x83000058, making it particularly dangerous as it allows for arbitrary memory corruption within kernel space.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation of input parameters provided by user-mode applications to the kernel driver through the specified IOCTL interface. When the ntguard.sys driver receives data through IOCTL 0x83000058, it fails to properly verify the size or content of the input buffer before writing data to memory locations. This validation gap creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious input that exceeds the intended buffer boundaries, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow condition under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow scenarios, though the kernel context makes it more severe than typical user-space buffer overflows.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it provides a pathway for privilege escalation attacks that could allow malicious actors to gain full administrative control over affected systems. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially execute code in kernel mode, bypassing standard security controls and potentially establishing persistent backdoors within the target environment. The nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly attractive to advanced persistent threat actors who seek to maintain long-term access to compromised systems while avoiding detection through traditional endpoint protection mechanisms. This vulnerability also relates to the broader category of kernel-mode exploits that align with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1055 category for privilege escalation through kernel exploits.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14962 should prioritize immediate patching of the IKARUS anti.virus software to version 2.16.18 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on the specific IOCTL code 0x83000058. System administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel mode driver validation and exploit protection features to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in kernel drivers, which should follow secure coding practices including bounds checking, parameter validation, and defensive programming techniques to prevent similar issues from occurring in other security software components.