CVE-2017-17801 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 0x8273E060.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17801 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 implements a device control interface that processes IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests from user-mode applications, creating a critical attack surface where improper input validation leads to system instability and potential security implications. The vulnerability manifests through the IOCtl code 0x8273E060 which handles specific driver operations, allowing local attackers with minimal privileges to manipulate driver behavior through crafted input parameters.
The technical flaw represents a classic buffer overflow or input validation vulnerability where the driver fails to properly validate or sanitize input values received through the specified IOCTL interface. This lack of validation creates a condition where malicious input can cause the driver to execute unintended code paths or access invalid memory locations, resulting in system crashes or blue screen of death (BSOD) conditions. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation vector stems from the fact that any user with access to the system can potentially trigger the exploit, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or when the software runs with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that attackers might be able to leverage this weakness for more sophisticated attacks. The BSOD conditions can disrupt legitimate system operations and create opportunities for attackers to perform system reconnaissance or establish persistent access. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant concern for organizations that deploy legacy security software, as it demonstrates how outdated security solutions can contain critical flaws that compromise system integrity. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions that can occur when input validation is insufficient.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17801 should prioritize immediate software updates from TG Soft to address the driver validation issues, though given the age of the affected software version, this may not be available. System administrators should implement additional protective measures including disabling unnecessary driver interfaces, restricting user access to security software components, and monitoring for suspicious driver activity through endpoint detection and response solutions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security software versions and implementing proper input validation practices in kernel-mode components. Organizations should consider implementing the principle of least privilege for security software installations and regularly audit system drivers to identify potentially vulnerable components. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for proper security testing and validation of kernel-mode drivers, particularly in enterprise environments where legacy security solutions may continue to operate despite known vulnerabilities.