CVE-2017-17797 in Ikarus
Summary
by MITRE
In IKARUS Anti-Virus 2.16.20, the driver file (ntguard.SYS) allows local users to cause a denial of service (BSOD) or possibly have unspecified other impact because of not validating input values from IOCtl 0x83000058.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17797 resides within the IKARUS Anti-Virus software version 2.16.20, specifically within its ntguard.SYS driver component. This represents a critical security flaw that demonstrates poor input validation practices in kernel-mode drivers, which form the foundation of system security and stability. The vulnerability manifests through the improper handling of input values received from IOCTL 0x83000058, a control code that allows communication between user-mode applications and kernel-mode drivers. The absence of proper validation mechanisms creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to compromise system integrity.
The technical flaw stems from the driver's failure to validate input parameters received through the specified IOCTL command, which aligns with CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-755 Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions. When malicious input is passed to the ntguard.SYS driver, it can trigger unpredictable behavior that ultimately results in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) or potentially more severe consequences. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass standard user-mode security controls and directly impact system stability. The lack of input validation creates a path for attackers to inject malformed data that the driver cannot properly process, leading to system crashes or potential privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the anti-virus software's defensive architecture. Local users who can execute code on the target system can leverage this flaw to cause system instability, potentially disrupting critical business operations or services. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that it may serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation or data corruption. From an operational security perspective, this flaw undermines the very purpose of anti-virus software, which is to protect systems from malicious threats while maintaining system integrity. The vulnerability also exposes the broader risk of poorly designed kernel-mode components that can be exploited to compromise entire systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17797 should focus on immediate remediation through vendor-provided patches, as the vulnerability exists within the software's core driver functionality. Organizations should implement the latest security updates from IKARUS to address the input validation deficiencies in the ntguard.SYS driver. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as driver signature enforcement and restricted user privileges to limit potential exploitation. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1068, 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', highlights the need for comprehensive monitoring of driver behavior and system calls. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege should be enforced to minimize the attack surface, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar validation flaws in other anti-virus and security software components. Given the nature of kernel-mode vulnerabilities, continuous monitoring for system instability and unauthorized driver modifications remains essential for maintaining system integrity.