CVE-2017-14967 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 0x83000080.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14967 represents a critical arbitrary write flaw within the ntguard.sys driver component of IKARUS anti.virus software versions prior to 2.16.18. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or verify data received through the specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command 0x83000080. The ntguard.sys driver operates at kernel level within the Windows operating system, making this flaw particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise the entire system. The arbitrary write vulnerability allows an attacker to write data to arbitrary memory locations, which can lead to privilege escalation, system instability, or complete system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which describes "Out-of-bounds Write" conditions that occur when a program writes data past the boundaries of a fixed-length buffer. In this case, the lack of proper input validation for the IOCTL 0x83000080 command creates an opportunity for attackers to supply malicious input that bypasses normal memory bounds checking. The vulnerability exists because the driver fails to validate the size, type, or content of data structures passed through the IOCTL interface, allowing attackers to manipulate memory locations beyond intended boundaries. This type of flaw typically occurs in kernel-mode drivers where insufficient bounds checking and input sanitization creates exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by malicious actors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments that utilize IKARUS anti.virus software. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can achieve privilege escalation from user-level to kernel-level execution, enabling them to bypass security controls, install rootkits, modify system files, or execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it operates at the kernel level, where traditional user-mode protections are ineffective. Organizations using vulnerable versions of IKARUS anti.virus face potential data breaches, system compromise, and complete loss of system integrity. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," making it a particularly concerning threat vector for security operations teams.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of the patched version 2.16.18 or later, which includes proper input validation mechanisms for IOCTL command processing. System administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity and ensure that only authorized users can access the affected driver interface. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary driver interfaces, implementing kernel-mode exploit prevention technologies, and conducting thorough security assessments of the affected systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode components and highlights the necessity of regular security updates and vulnerability management processes. Organizations should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as well as maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to identify potential attacks targeting similar kernel-mode vulnerabilities.