CVE-2018-11035 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 0x80002019.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11035 resides within the 2345 Security Guard 3.7 security suite, specifically targeting the kernel-mode driver component 2345NsProtect.sys in its x64 architecture version. This flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the driver's handling of Device Control Requests, particularly when processing IOCTL code 0x80002019. The issue represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of the system's kernel protection mechanisms and exposes the operating environment to potential exploitation by malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the driver's failure to validate input parameters received through the specified IOCTL interface. When a local user submits crafted input data to the driver via IOCTL 0x80002019, the system lacks proper boundary checking and input sanitization measures that should normally be implemented in kernel-mode components. This absence of validation creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the driver's behavior through carefully constructed parameter values, potentially leading to system instability and complete system crashes.
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 or arbitrary code execution within kernel space. The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) condition represents the most immediate and visible consequence, effectively rendering the system unusable until a reboot occurs. However, the unspecified nature of additional impacts suggests that sophisticated attackers might leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent system compromises or to gain elevated privileges within the security framework.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses the weakness of insufficient input validation, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of local system privileges to achieve unauthorized access. The local privilege requirement indicates that attackers need to have user-level access to the system, but once achieved, the vulnerability provides a pathway for more serious security breaches. The presence of this flaw in a security product like 2345 Security Guard creates a particularly concerning scenario where the very tool designed to protect the system becomes a vector for system compromise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate driver updates from the vendor to address the input validation deficiencies, while also implementing additional system hardening measures such as kernel patch protection and driver signature enforcement. Organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous IOCTL activity patterns and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address kernel-mode vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in security-critical kernel components and underscores the necessity for thorough security testing of driver code before deployment in production environments.