CVE-2017-14969 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 0x83000084, a related issue to CVE-2017-17114.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14969 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 inadequate input validation mechanisms within the driver's handling of specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the driver processes IOCTL code 0x83000084, which operates at the kernel level and provides a direct interface for user-mode applications to communicate with the driver. The absence of proper validation for input parameters creates an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to write arbitrary data to memory locations of their choosing, fundamentally compromising system integrity and security boundaries.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 category of "Out-of-bounds Write" as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses situations where programs write data past the boundaries of allocated buffers. The flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory corruption, where the ntguard.sys driver fails to properly sanitize or validate the parameters passed through the IOCTL interface. The operational impact extends beyond simple buffer overflow conditions as the arbitrary write capability enables attackers to modify critical system structures, potentially leading to privilege escalation, code execution, or complete system compromise. The relationship to CVE-2017-17114 demonstrates a pattern of similar vulnerabilities within the same software ecosystem, suggesting systemic issues in the driver's security architecture and input handling mechanisms.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to have some level of access to the system, typically through user-mode execution, as the driver operates at kernel level and requires specific IOCTL calls to trigger the flaw. Once exploited, the arbitrary write capability allows for modification of kernel memory, potentially enabling attackers to inject malicious code, manipulate system calls, or bypass security controls. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can undermine the entire security model of the operating system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-level vulnerabilities that allow attackers to gain elevated system privileges. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where antivirus solutions are widely deployed, as it could provide a pathway for attackers to establish persistent access or escalate their privileges to SYSTEM level.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14969 primarily involve updating the IKARUS anti.virus software to version 2.16.18 or later, which includes proper input validation for the affected IOCTL handler. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as driver signature enforcement, kernel patch protection, and monitoring for anomalous driver behavior. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in kernel-mode drivers, emphasizing the need for comprehensive input validation, proper bounds checking, and adherence to security best practices. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their endpoint protection solutions and ensure timely patch management to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing behavioral monitoring and anomaly detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts of such kernel-level flaws, providing an additional layer of defense beyond traditional signature-based detection methods.