CVE-2017-17802 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 0x8273E080.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17802 resides within TG Soft Vir.IT eXplorer Lite version 8.5.65, specifically within its kernel-mode driver component VIRAGTLT.SYS. This driver exposes a critical security flaw through improper input validation mechanisms when processing IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, particularly for the specific control code 0x8273E080. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient validation in kernel-mode components, where the driver fails to properly sanitize or validate data received from user-mode applications before processing it within the privileged execution context.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of input validation for IOCTL 0x8273E080, which allows local attackers to submit malformed or unexpected parameter values to the driver. When the driver processes these unvalidated inputs, it can lead to unpredictable behavior including system crashes resulting in Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) conditions. This occurs because kernel-mode drivers operate with the highest privilege levels and any input validation failure can result in memory corruption, invalid pointer dereferences, or other critical execution errors that force the operating system to terminate. The vulnerability falls under CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," and demonstrates how insufficient validation in kernel drivers can create severe system stability issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios. While local users can trigger BSOD conditions, the underlying flaw suggests potential for more serious consequences including privilege escalation opportunities or arbitrary code execution. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges within the system or exploit the memory corruption to execute malicious payloads. The local privilege requirement means that the attack vector is limited to users already having access to the system, but this still represents a significant risk in environments where user access control is not strictly enforced. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as it could enable further exploitation paths.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The most effective immediate solution is to update to a patched version of TG Soft Vir.IT eXplorer Lite that properly validates all IOCTL inputs and implements robust input sanitization mechanisms. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of potentially vulnerable software. Additionally, monitoring for unusual BSOD patterns and implementing proper kernel-mode debugging capabilities can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in kernel-mode development, emphasizing the need for comprehensive input validation, proper error handling, and thorough testing of driver components. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation techniques and reducing the attack surface by disabling unnecessary driver functionality to minimize potential exploitation vectors.