CVE-2017-18019 in Total Security
Summary
by MITRE
In K7 Total Security before 15.1.0.305, user-controlled input to the K7Sentry device is not sufficiently sanitized: the user-controlled input can be used to compare an arbitrary memory address with a fixed value, which in turn can be used to read the contents of arbitrary memory. Similarly, the product crashes upon a \\.\K7Sentry DeviceIoControl call with an invalid kernel pointer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18019 affects K7 Total Security versions prior to 15.1.0.305 and represents a critical security flaw within the K7Sentry device driver component. This issue stems from insufficient input sanitization mechanisms that allow malicious actors to manipulate user-controlled data passed to the device driver. The vulnerability specifically impacts the DeviceIoControl function implementation within the kernel-level K7Sentry component, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited by unauthorized users. The flaw exists in the communication channel between user-space applications and the kernel-mode device driver, where proper validation of input parameters fails to occur before processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves manipulating the DeviceIoControl call with specifically crafted parameters that bypass normal input validation checks. When a user provides untrusted input to the K7Sentry device through the DeviceIoControl interface, the system fails to properly sanitize this data before using it in memory comparison operations. This allows attackers to construct malicious input that can be used to compare arbitrary memory addresses against fixed values, effectively creating a memory reading primitive. The vulnerability leverages the fact that the device driver does not properly validate the memory pointers or control codes passed to it, enabling attackers to perform memory reconnaissance and potentially extract sensitive information from kernel memory spaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service conditions. The ability to read arbitrary memory contents provides attackers with access to sensitive kernel data, potentially including encryption keys, credentials, or other confidential information stored in memory. Additionally, the vulnerability manifests as a system crash when the DeviceIoControl call receives an invalid kernel pointer, creating opportunities for denial of service attacks that can disrupt system operations. This dual nature of the vulnerability - providing both information disclosure and system instability - makes it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability according to CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read errors. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.003 sub-technique for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code within the kernel context. The vulnerability also relates to T1499.004 for endpoint denial of service and T1566.001 for spearphishing with a malicious attachment, as attackers can craft malicious payloads to exploit this flaw. The root cause of this vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate memory management within the device driver, highlighting the importance of proper kernel security controls and defensive programming techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-18019 include immediate patching of K7 Total Security to version 15.1.0.305 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization and validation fixes. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious DeviceIoControl calls and abnormal memory access patterns within their security infrastructure. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security assessments of device drivers and kernel components should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of kernel-level security testing and proper input validation in security software, particularly in anti-virus and endpoint protection solutions that operate with elevated privileges.