CVE-2017-17799 in Vir.IT eXplorer Lite
Summary
by MITRE
In TG Soft Vir.IT eXplorer Lite 8.5.65, the driver file (VIRAGTLT.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 0x82730068.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17799 resides within the TG Soft Vir.IT eXplorer Lite 8.5.65 security software, specifically within its kernel-mode driver component VIRAGTLT.SYS. This driver exposes a critical flaw through improper input validation mechanisms when processing IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, particularly those associated with the specific control code 0x82730068. The absence of proper validation allows malicious or unintended input data to flow directly into the driver's processing logic without adequate sanitization or verification, creating a pathway for exploitation that can result in system instability and potential security compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-20, which defines "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness that occurs when software does not properly validate input data before processing it. This particular implementation flaw represents a classic buffer over-read or improper parameter handling scenario where the driver fails to validate the size, format, or content of data structures passed through the IOCTL interface. When a local user submits crafted input to the driver through this specific IOCTL code, the lack of validation can cause the driver to process invalid or unexpected data, leading to memory corruption or unexpected behavior within the kernel space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests primarily through potential system crashes and blue screen of death (BSOD) conditions that occur when the vulnerable driver encounters malformed input data. This denial of service condition effectively renders the affected system unstable and unusable, as the kernel-mode driver responsible for security scanning operations becomes compromised. Beyond simple denial of service, the vulnerability may potentially allow for more severe consequences including privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution within kernel space, though the description specifically mentions "possibly have unspecified other impact" indicating the full scope of potential exploitation remains uncertain. The local privilege requirement means that exploitation can occur from any user account with access to the system, making it particularly concerning for environments where user access is not strictly controlled.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates provided by the vendor, as the vulnerability exists within a specific version of the security software that has likely been addressed in subsequent releases. System administrators should implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges where possible, and consider deploying additional monitoring solutions to detect anomalous IOCTL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.003 for Windows Command Shell and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as local users could potentially leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel-mode driver whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious driver behavior, particularly around the specific IOCTL code 0x82730068. Given the nature of kernel-mode vulnerabilities, comprehensive system hardening measures including disabling unnecessary services and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components remain essential defensive measures.