CVE-2017-17800 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 0x8273A0A0, a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-17798.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17800 affects TG Soft Vir.IT eXplorer Lite version 8.5.65, specifically targeting the VIRAGTLT.SYS driver component that handles system-level operations through Windows kernel-mode interfaces. This represents a critical security flaw within endpoint protection software that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt system operations or achieve unauthorized access. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation within the driver's IOCTL handling mechanism, specifically for the control code 0x8273A0A0, which operates at the kernel level and provides direct access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter validation within the driver's system call handler for the specified IOCTL code. When legitimate or malicious input data is passed to the driver through this interface, the system fails to properly validate the incoming parameters before processing them, creating a potential exploitation vector. This flaw directly correlates to CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and more specifically to CWE-755, concerning the improper handling of exceptional conditions. The lack of proper validation allows attackers to craft malicious input that can trigger unexpected behavior within the kernel space, potentially leading to system instability or complete system crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as the potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that local attackers could leverage this weakness to escalate privileges or execute arbitrary code within the kernel context. The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) condition represents the most immediate threat, as it can render systems unusable and potentially cause data loss or corruption. However, the unspecified nature of additional impacts indicates that attackers might be able to exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges or manipulate system memory, particularly since the driver operates with high-level system permissions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and demonstrates how kernel-level flaws can enable attackers to bypass traditional security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17800 should focus on immediate patching of the affected software version, as TG Soft has likely released updates to address this specific validation issue. System administrators should implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local users from interacting with the vulnerable driver interface, and monitor for unusual system behavior or BSOD occurrences that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel-mode input validation and demonstrates how endpoint protection software can inadvertently become attack vectors when not properly secured. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring for kernel-level system calls and driver interactions to detect potential exploitation attempts. Given that this vulnerability exists in an endpoint protection tool, it underscores the critical need for regular security assessments of security software itself, as these applications often operate with elevated privileges and present attractive targets for exploitation. The flaw serves as a reminder that security tools must be hardened against exploitation just as much as the systems they protect, and that comprehensive vulnerability management includes not only external threats but also internal security weaknesses within security infrastructure components.