CVE-2017-17409 in Internet Security
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Bitdefender Internet Security 2018. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within emulator 0x10A in cevakrnl.xmd. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an integer overflow before writing to memory. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-5102.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2019
This vulnerability in Bitdefender Internet Security 2018 represents a critical remote code execution flaw that demonstrates the dangerous consequences of inadequate input validation in security software. The vulnerability exists within the emulator component identified as 0x10A within the cevakrnl.xmd module, which serves as a core component in the antivirus solution's threat detection and mitigation processes. The flaw specifically manifests as an integer overflow condition that occurs before memory write operations, creating a pathway for malicious code execution that operates with the highest privilege level available on the system. This represents a particularly severe issue because security software typically runs with elevated privileges to perform its protective functions, making any exploitation of such vulnerabilities potentially devastating for system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic integer overflow scenario where user-supplied data fails to undergo proper validation before being processed by the emulator component. When the vulnerable system encounters malicious input, the integer overflow condition causes unexpected behavior in memory allocation and manipulation, ultimately leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to redirect program execution flow. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can result in memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The exploitation requires user interaction through visiting malicious web pages or opening compromised files, making it a client-side attack vector that leverages social engineering tactics to deliver the malicious payload to vulnerable systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple remote code execution, as the attacker can achieve SYSTEM-level privileges through the exploitation process. This privilege escalation capability means that successful exploitation allows adversaries to bypass all security controls that typically protect the system, including user access controls, file permissions, and other security mechanisms. The vulnerability affects a specific version of Bitdefender Internet Security, highlighting how even well-established security vendors can introduce critical flaws in their software components that may go unnoticed for extended periods. The fact that this vulnerability was tracked as ZDI-CAN-5102 indicates it was identified through coordinated vulnerability disclosure processes, which are standard industry practices for managing sensitive security flaws before public disclosure.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected Bitdefender Internet Security 2018 installations, as the flaw represents a persistent threat that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, including unusual outbound connections or attempts to access system resources that would be characteristic of privilege escalation activities. Security teams should also consider deploying additional protective measures such as application whitelisting, network segmentation, and enhanced endpoint detection capabilities to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user-supplied input and implementing robust memory safety controls in security software, as these applications often become primary targets for attackers seeking to bypass system protections and gain unauthorized access to protected environments. This case study reinforces the need for comprehensive security testing and code review processes, particularly for components that handle external data inputs and operate with elevated system privileges.