CVE-2018-11034 in Security Guard
Summary
by MITRE
In 2345 Security Guard 3.7, the driver file (2345NsProtect.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 0x8000200D.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11034 affects the 2345 Security Guard 3.7 software suite, specifically targeting the kernel-mode driver component known as 2345NsProtect.sys in its X64 architecture version. This security flaw resides within the device driver layer of the operating system, creating a critical attack surface that can be exploited by local adversaries. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the driver's implementation, particularly when processing IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests with the specific command code 0x8000200D. The absence of adequate parameter validation creates a pathway for malicious input to propagate through the kernel execution context, potentially compromising system stability and integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user crafts malicious input parameters and submits them through the IOCTL interface designated by the command code 0x8000200D. This specific IOCTL command code represents a well-defined communication channel between user-mode applications and the kernel-mode driver component. The driver fails to perform proper validation of the input parameters received through this interface, allowing arbitrary data to be processed without sufficient sanitization or bounds checking. This validation gap enables attackers to manipulate memory structures, potentially causing invalid memory access patterns that result in system crashes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input, and represents a classic example of buffer over-read or under-read conditions that can lead to system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as demonstrated by the potential for unspecified other impacts mentioned in the CVE description. Local users can trigger blue screen of death (BSOD) conditions through controlled input manipulation, effectively rendering the system unusable and requiring manual restart or system recovery procedures. Beyond immediate system availability disruption, the vulnerability creates potential for more severe consequences including privilege escalation opportunities or information disclosure through memory corruption. The kernel-mode execution context provides attackers with elevated privileges, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it operates at the core level of system protection mechanisms. The attack vector requires local system access, which reduces the attack surface but still represents a significant security risk when considering the potential for privilege escalation or system compromise through subsequent exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11034 should focus on immediate remediation through vendor-supplied patches and updates to the 2345 Security Guard software suite. System administrators should implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and reduce the potential attack surface for exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-mode driver validation and input sanitization practices that align with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth strategies. Organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual IOCTL activity patterns and establish baseline system behavior for early warning detection. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as local users can leverage kernel-mode access to bypass security controls. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include kernel driver analysis to identify similar input validation flaws in other security software components. Additionally, maintaining current security patches and implementing proper software supply chain security measures can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into production environments.