CVE-2017-16555 in K7
Summary
by MITRE
K7 Antivirus Premium before 15.1.0.53 allows local users to gain privileges by sending a specific IOCTL after setting the memory in a particular way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2019
This vulnerability exists in K7 Antivirus Premium versions prior to 15.1.0.53 and represents a privilege escalation flaw that can be exploited by local attackers. The issue stems from improper handling of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests within the antivirus software's kernel-mode drivers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a local user can manipulate memory structures and subsequently send a crafted IOCTL request that triggers an exploitable condition in the driver's processing logic. This allows an attacker with standard user privileges to escalate their access level to system-level privileges, effectively bypassing the security boundaries that normally protect the operating system from unauthorized modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of memory regions that are accessed by the antivirus driver during IOCTL processing. When the driver receives an IOCTL request, it performs operations on memory locations that have been pre-conditioned by the attacker through specific memory allocation and modification techniques. The flaw occurs in the driver's validation logic where insufficient input sanitization allows malicious data to be processed as if it were legitimate system-level commands. This memory manipulation combined with the IOCTL execution creates a path where user-mode code can influence kernel-mode operations to perform unauthorized actions. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, specifically focusing on the improper handling of privilege levels within kernel-mode components. From an attack perspective, this represents a classic kernel exploit where the attacker leverages a device driver to gain elevated privileges without requiring any network access or external attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows local attackers to completely compromise the system's security model. Once exploited, the attacker can execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, enabling them to modify system files, install malware, disable security features, or exfiltrate sensitive data without detection. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no network connectivity or user interaction beyond the initial exploitation phase, making it a persistent threat that can be used for long-term system compromise. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that the target software is commonly installed on end-user systems, making it a prime candidate for exploitation in targeted attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as the attacker can leverage the escalated privileges to execute additional malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment as the primary solution, with the vendor releasing version 15.1.0.53 or later that addresses the IOCTL handling and memory management issues. System administrators should ensure that all instances of K7 Antivirus Premium are updated to the latest version to prevent exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing kernel-mode driver protection mechanisms, enabling driver signature enforcement, and monitoring for unusual IOCTL activity patterns in system logs. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of unauthorized drivers and maintain regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other security software components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode drivers and the need for comprehensive security testing of device drivers that operate with elevated privileges.