CVE-2017-14966 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 0x830000c0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14966 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 handling of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests. The specific IOCTL code 0x830000c0 exhibits improper validation of user-supplied parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system through arbitrary write operations. This vulnerability falls under the category of kernel-mode privilege escalation and represents a significant concern for system security integrity.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition within the kernel driver context. When the ntguard.sys driver receives an IOCTL request with code 0x830000c0, it fails to properly validate the input parameters before proceeding with memory operations. This lack of input sanitization allows attackers to manipulate the driver into writing arbitrary data to memory locations of their choosing. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, meaning successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise without requiring elevated privileges from the attacker. This type of vulnerability is classified as a write-what-where condition that enables attackers to overwrite critical system memory structures or execute arbitrary code within kernel space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system instability and complete compromise. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can manipulate the driver to overwrite critical memory regions, potentially leading to system crashes, data corruption, or full system takeover. The kernel-mode nature of the flaw means that exploitation does not require user interaction or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where antivirus solutions are typically installed with high privileges. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' and CWE-787 which addresses 'Out-of-bounds Write' conditions in software development.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14966 primarily focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to IKARUS anti.virus version 2.16.18 or later, which includes proper input validation for the affected IOCTL handler. Organizations should also implement kernel-mode driver protection measures such as Windows Driver Signature Enforcement and Application Control policies to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity, implementing network segmentation, and conducting regular security assessments of endpoint protection software. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode drivers and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of system-level components to prevent similar issues in other security software solutions.