CVE-2018-10709 in RGBLED
Summary
by MITRE
The AsrDrv101.sys and AsrDrv102.sys low-level drivers in ASRock RGBLED before v1.0.35.1, A-Tuning before v3.0.210, F-Stream before v3.0.210, and RestartToUEFI before v1.0.6.2 expose functionality to read and write CR register values. This could be leveraged in a number of ways to ultimately run code with elevated privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10709 affects low-level hardware drivers in ASRock RGBLED and related software components, specifically targeting the AsrDrv101.sys and AsrDrv102.sys kernel drivers. These drivers provide access to critical system hardware registers through exposed functionality that allows arbitrary read and write operations on Control Register (CR) values. The flaw exists in versions prior to v1.0.35.1 for ASRock RGBLED, v3.0.210 for A-Tuning and F-Stream, and v1.0.6.2 for RestartToUEFI, representing a significant security weakness in the firmware and driver stack of affected systems. This vulnerability resides at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it operates with the highest privilege level of the operating system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control within the driver interfaces, where the CR register manipulation functions lack adequate validation and authorization checks. Control registers are fundamental components in x86 architecture that control processor operation modes, memory management, and system behavior. When drivers expose functionality to read and write these registers without proper security boundaries, they create opportunities for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, specifically targeting the improper restriction of operations within a security domain. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to perform privilege escalation attacks that can ultimately compromise entire systems. Once an attacker gains access to these driver functions, they can manipulate system registers to bypass security mechanisms, modify kernel memory, and establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to move laterally within networks and escalate their privileges from user-level to kernel-level execution. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of kernel exploits and driver manipulation to gain elevated system access. The exposure of CR register functionality allows for sophisticated attacks that can disable security features, modify system call tables, and manipulate processor state in ways that would normally be restricted.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected software components to versions that properly restrict access to CR register functionality. System administrators should ensure all ASRock RGBLED and related software components are updated to the latest versions that address this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing driver signature enforcement, disabling unnecessary driver functionalities, and monitoring for suspicious driver activity through endpoint detection and response systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure driver development practices and proper access control implementation in kernel-level code. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms such as kernel patch protection and exploit prevention technologies to defend against similar vulnerabilities in other system components. Regular security assessments of driver stacks and firmware components are essential to identify and remediate similar exposure risks that could enable privilege escalation attacks.