CVE-2017-16549 in K7
Summary
by MITRE
K7 Antivirus Premium before 15.1.0.53 allows local users to write to arbitrary memory locations, and consequently gain privileges, via a specific set of IOCTL calls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2019
CVE-2017-16549 represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability affecting K7 Antivirus Premium versions prior to 15.1.0.53. This vulnerability resides within the kernel-mode drivers of the antivirus software, specifically through improper handling of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests that are typically used for communication between user-mode applications and kernel-mode components. The flaw enables local attackers to manipulate memory addresses directly through crafted IOCTL calls, bypassing normal security boundaries that should protect system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the kernel drivers. When legitimate IOCTL commands are processed, the system fails to properly validate the parameters provided by user-mode applications, particularly those related to memory addresses and buffer sizes. This allows an attacker to construct malicious IOCTL requests that target specific memory locations within the kernel space, potentially overwriting critical system structures or executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass standard operating system security mechanisms such as user mode protection and privilege separation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to systems running affected K7 Antivirus versions, as it allows local users to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system administrator level. The attack vector requires local system access but does not need network connectivity or specialized external conditions, making it particularly concerning for environments where user access is not strictly controlled. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, persistence mechanisms installation, and further lateral movement within a network. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems and represents a classic example of a kernel-mode privilege escalation flaw that aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions in kernel-mode code.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate privilege escalation, as it can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can leverage the elevated privileges to modify system files, disable security features, install backdoors, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be used to establish persistence through kernel-level modifications. Organizations with unpatched systems remain vulnerable to exploitation by threat actors who may have already compromised user accounts or gained initial access through other means. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor software security practices in driver development, particularly regarding input validation and memory management in kernel space components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16549 primarily involve immediate patching of affected K7 Antivirus installations to version 15.1.0.53 or later. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory checks to identify all affected systems and prioritize patching in critical environments. Additionally, implementing least privilege principles and monitoring for unusual IOCTL activity can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit local user access where possible. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for suspicious kernel-mode activities and privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure driver development practices and regular security assessments of system components that operate at kernel level, as these components represent the most critical attack surface for privilege escalation attacks.