CVE-2017-14968 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 0x830000c4, a related issue to CVE-2017-17113.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-14968 represents a critical security flaw within the IKARUS anti.virus software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.16.18. This issue resides within the ntguard.sys kernel driver component which serves as a core protective mechanism for the antivirus solution. The vulnerability manifests as an arbitrary write condition that can be exploited through improper input validation mechanisms within the driver's handling of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests. The specific IOCTL code 0x830000c4 acts as the attack vector, enabling malicious actors to manipulate memory locations within the kernel space through crafted input parameters. This particular vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the driver's security architecture where input validation is insufficient to prevent potentially dangerous memory operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds writes that occur when a program writes data past the boundaries of a buffer. The ntguard.sys driver fails to properly validate the size and content of input parameters received through the IOCTL interface, creating an opportunity for attackers to overwrite arbitrary memory locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at kernel level, bypassing standard user-mode protections and potentially allowing privilege escalation to SYSTEM level access. The relationship to CVE-2017-17113 indicates this represents a broader class of issues within the IKARUS anti.virus driver architecture, suggesting that similar input validation weaknesses may exist in other IOCTL handlers within the same component.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or system instability. Attackers exploiting this condition could potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, enabling complete system compromise without requiring user interaction or elevated permissions. The vulnerability's presence in antivirus software creates a particularly concerning attack surface since these components typically run with high privileges to perform their protective functions. An attacker could leverage this flaw to bypass the very security measures that the antivirus software is designed to provide, effectively turning the defensive mechanism into an attack vector. The arbitrary write capability allows for sophisticated exploitation techniques including Direct Kernel Object Manipulation (DKOM) attacks that can hide processes, modify system call tables, or manipulate kernel data structures to maintain persistence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through the official software update to version 2.16.18 or later, which addresses the input validation deficiencies in the ntguard.sys driver. Organizations should implement comprehensive endpoint detection and response measures to monitor for potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual kernel-mode activity or suspicious IOCTL calls. The vulnerability's classification as a kernel-level issue necessitates a layered approach to defense, including regular system patching, monitoring of kernel-mode drivers, and implementation of exploit protection mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and kernel-mode exploitation, specifically T1068 and T1543. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized kernel-mode components and maintain detailed audit logs of driver interactions for forensic analysis purposes.