CVE-2018-10953 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 0x0022204C.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10953 resides within the 2345 Security Guard 3.7 security software suite, specifically targeting the kernel-mode driver component 2345BdPcSafe.sys in its x64 architecture version. This driver interface exposes a critical security flaw through its handling of input validation for a specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command designated as 0x0022204C. The vulnerability represents a classic example of improper input validation within kernel-space components, which directly impacts system stability and security posture. The flaw allows local authenticated users to exploit the driver's insufficient validation mechanisms, creating potential pathways for system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the driver's failure to properly validate input parameters received through the IOCTL 0x0022204C interface. This particular IOCTL command is designed to handle specific control operations within the security software's kernel driver, but the implementation lacks proper parameter validation checks. When malicious or malformed input is passed to this interface, the driver fails to sanitize or verify the data before processing, leading to unpredictable behavior within the kernel space. The absence of input validation creates a condition where arbitrary data can be written to kernel memory locations, potentially corrupting critical system structures or triggering privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests primarily through system instability and potential denial of service conditions, specifically resulting in Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) occurrences. Local users who can execute code with sufficient privileges to interact with the vulnerable driver interface can trigger system crashes that render the affected machine unusable until reboot. Beyond immediate system disruption, this vulnerability may enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation to kernel-level access, which would allow attackers to bypass security controls and potentially gain full system compromise. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the description suggest potential for additional security consequences that could include data corruption or unauthorized access to system resources.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, Improper Validation of Input, which addresses the lack of proper input validation in software components, and specifically relates to CWE-787, Out-of-bounds Write, when the driver fails to validate buffer sizes or memory boundaries. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1499, Endpoint Denial of Service, providing threat actors with multiple attack vectors. The local privilege requirement indicates that this vulnerability requires a user to already have some level of access to the system, but once exploited, could provide a pathway to full system compromise. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected software version, implementation of driver signature enforcement policies, and monitoring for suspicious driver activity patterns.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate attention from system administrators to update to patched versions of 2345 Security Guard, as the vendor has likely addressed this issue through proper input validation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing kernel-mode driver whitelisting policies, enabling Windows Driver Verifier, and conducting regular security assessments of installed security software can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous driver behavior and unusual IOCTL activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust input validation in kernel-mode drivers and highlights the potential for seemingly minor validation flaws to result in significant system compromise opportunities.