CVE-2018-10830 in Security Guard
Summary
by MITRE
In 2345 Security Guard 3.7, the driver file (2345BdPcSafe.sys, X64 version) allows local users to cause a denial of service (BSOD) or possibly have unspecified other impact because of not validating input values from IOCtl 0x002220e0.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10830 resides within the 2345 Security Guard 3.7 software suite, specifically targeting the kernel-mode driver component known as 2345BdPcSafe.sys in its X64 architecture version. This driver operates at the privileged kernel level and interfaces with user-mode applications through Windows I/O control codes, creating a critical attack surface where improper input validation can lead to system-wide consequences. The vulnerability manifests when the driver processes IOCTL code 0x002220e0, which serves as a communication channel between the application and the kernel driver, allowing malicious or unintended input to bypass essential validation mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the driver's handling of the specified IOCTL command, placing the system at risk of executing malformed or unexpected data without proper sanitization. This weakness aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental security issue where software fails to properly validate or sanitize input data received from external sources. When local users submit crafted input values through this IOCTL interface, the driver's failure to validate these inputs creates opportunities for exploitation that can result in system crashes or potentially more severe consequences depending on the nature of the malformed data processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as evidenced by the potential for unspecified other impacts that could include privilege escalation, system instability, or data corruption. A Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) represents the most immediate and visible consequence, effectively rendering the affected system unusable until reboot occurs, which can disrupt business operations and user productivity. The local privilege requirement means that exploitation does not require network connectivity or remote access, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for environments where local access is possible or where users may have elevated privileges through legitimate means. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that attackers might be able to leverage this weakness to achieve more sophisticated objectives, potentially including privilege escalation or information disclosure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10830 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected 2345 Security Guard software to the latest version that addresses this input validation flaw. System administrators should implement the principle of least privilege by restricting local user access to systems running this software and monitoring for unusual driver activity or BSOD occurrences that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential attack surface, while endpoint detection and response solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious IOCTL activity patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion through kernel-mode manipulation, making it a significant concern for organizations implementing comprehensive threat detection strategies. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized driver components and maintain updated vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other security software components.