CVE-2017-14964 in anti.virus
Summary
by MITRE
In IKARUS anti.virus before 2.16.18, the ntguard.sys driver contains an Arbitrary Write vulnerability because of not validating input values from IOCtl 0x8300005c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14964 resides within the ntguard.sys driver component of IKARUS anti.virus software versions prior to 2.16.18. This represents a critical security flaw that stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the driver's implementation. The vulnerability specifically manifests through IOCTL code 0x8300005c, which governs communication between user-mode applications and the kernel-mode driver. When this particular IOCTL is invoked without proper validation of input parameters, it creates an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate memory locations beyond the intended scope of the driver's operation.
This arbitrary write vulnerability falls under the category of kernel-level privilege escalation and memory corruption issues, with direct implications for system integrity and confidentiality. The flaw allows attackers to write data to arbitrary memory addresses within the kernel space, potentially enabling them to overwrite critical system structures, modify security controls, or inject malicious code directly into the operating system's memory. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they operate at the highest privilege level, bypassing standard user-mode security controls and access restrictions that typically protect system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or system instability. Attackers could leverage this weakness to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges to SYSTEM level access, or disable security mechanisms within the anti-virus software itself. The vulnerability essentially provides a pathway for attackers to subvert the very protection mechanisms designed to defend against malware and other security threats. This creates a particularly insidious scenario where the security solution becomes a vector for compromise rather than a protective barrier.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, specifically targeting the kernel-level execution environment. The CWE classification for this issue would be CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, though more accurately it represents a combination of CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write in kernel space contexts. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input sanitization and validation, which is fundamental to secure coding practices and is consistently emphasized in industry security frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the IKARUS anti.virus software to version 2.16.18 or later, which incorporates proper input validation mechanisms for the affected IOCTL handler. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous driver behavior or unauthorized IOCTL calls, while maintaining regular security assessments of endpoint protection software. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing kernel-mode protection mechanisms and exploit prevention technologies to reduce the impact of similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patched version does not introduce compatibility issues with existing security policies or system configurations, as kernel-level modifications can have far-reaching effects on overall system stability and performance.