CVE-2018-10952 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 0x00222088.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10952 resides within the 2345 Security Guard 3.7 security suite, specifically targeting the kernel-mode driver component known as 2345BdPcSafe.sys in its x64 architecture version. This driver serves as a critical security component responsible for system protection and monitoring activities. The flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the driver's implementation, particularly when processing IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests with the specific code 0x00222088. This particular IOCTL interface represents a communication channel between user-mode applications and the kernel-mode driver, enabling privileged operations that can significantly impact system stability and security posture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from a lack of proper parameter validation within the driver's IOCTL handling routine. When a local user process submits a malformed or unexpected input value through IOCTL 0x00222088, the driver fails to perform adequate checks before proceeding with the requested operation. This validation gap creates an exploitable condition where malicious input can cause the driver to behave unpredictably, leading to system instability. The vulnerability's classification as a potential denial of service condition indicates that the system may crash with a blue screen of death (BSOD) when the driver encounters the malformed input. According to CWE standards, this represents a weakness categorized under CWE-707: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, specifically manifesting as improper input validation within kernel-mode code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system disruption, as it creates potential pathways for more severe security consequences. Local users who can execute code on the target system can leverage this flaw to either crash the operating system or potentially achieve privilege escalation depending on the specific implementation details. The BSOD condition represents a direct denial of service attack that can render the system unusable until manual intervention or system reboot occurs. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a reliable means of system disruption that can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where such tools may be deployed on numerous endpoints. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1490: Inhibit System Recovery, as it can be used to prevent normal system operation through kernel-level interference.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10952 should focus on immediate patching of the 2345 Security Guard software to the latest version that addresses this input validation issue. System administrators should implement monitoring for unusual IOCTL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around the specific 0x00222088 code. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of local exploitation, while regular system updates and patch management processes should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies can restrict unauthorized execution of potentially malicious code that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability. The fundamental requirement for addressing this issue involves ensuring proper input validation in kernel-mode drivers, which should be validated against established security frameworks and standards to prevent similar weaknesses from appearing in future software releases.