CVE-2017-16557 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
CVE-2017-16557 represents a local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting K7 Antivirus Premium versions prior to 15.1.0.53. This vulnerability resides within the kernel-mode driver component of the antivirus software, specifically within the device control interface implementation. The flaw manifests when the antivirus driver processes specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests without proper validation of input parameters or memory state, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to elevate their privileges from standard user level to system level.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a sophisticated understanding of Windows kernel internals and driver architecture. Attackers must first gain a foothold as a local user, then manipulate memory structures in a precise manner before sending a carefully crafted IOCTL request to the vulnerable driver. This process involves exploiting improper validation of user-supplied data within kernel space, where the driver fails to properly sanitize input parameters before processing them. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers buffer overflow vulnerabilities in heap data structures. The memory manipulation aspect of the exploit demonstrates a classic example of how improper memory management in kernel drivers can lead to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it represents a critical weakness in endpoint protection software that is designed to secure systems against external threats. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass the security controls that the antivirus software is supposed to provide, potentially enabling full system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems running Windows operating systems where K7 Antivirus Premium is installed, with the risk being particularly severe for enterprise environments where antivirus solutions are deployed across multiple endpoints. The exploitability of this vulnerability requires local access, meaning it can be leveraged by malware already present on the system or by attackers who have gained initial access through other means.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open for unpatched systems. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to K7 Antivirus Premium version 15.1.0.53 or later, which includes proper input validation and memory management improvements in the driver component. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity patterns and consider disabling unnecessary driver functionality where possible. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of proper driver code review and security testing, particularly in kernel-mode components where privilege escalation opportunities can be extremely dangerous. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and demonstrates how endpoint protection software can inadvertently become an attack vector when not properly secured against internal exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as driver signature enforcement and kernel-mode code integrity checking to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.