CVE-2018-15364 in OfficeScan XG
Summary
by MITRE
A Named Pipe Request Processing Out-of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure vulnerability in Trend Micro OfficeScan XG (12.0) could allow a local attacker to disclose sensitive information on vulnerable installations. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit the vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15364 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Trend Micro OfficeScan XG version 12.0, specifically affecting the Named Pipe Request Processing component. This vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when processing named pipe requests, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure. The flaw exists in the software's handling of inter-process communication mechanisms, where the application fails to properly validate input data before processing named pipe requests. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which is a common class of memory safety issues that can lead to information disclosure when improperly handled buffer operations occur during request processing. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability must first achieve a foothold on the target system with low-privileged execution capabilities, typically through social engineering, phishing, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities that allow code execution at the user level.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the named pipe request processing subsystem of the OfficeScan XG service, where the application receives and processes requests through Windows named pipes for communication between different components. When a maliciously crafted request is sent to the vulnerable service, the processing logic fails to validate the boundaries of the input data, allowing an attacker to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This out-of-bounds memory access can result in the disclosure of sensitive information such as memory addresses, encryption keys, passwords, or other confidential data that resides in adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of a privileged service, meaning that even though the initial exploitation requires low-privileged code execution, the information disclosure can potentially expose data that would normally be protected by system security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-15364 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents can contain sensitive data that could be leveraged for further attacks within the network environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially extract credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential information that might be stored in memory, leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement attacks. The vulnerability's local nature means that it requires an attacker to first gain a foothold on the system, but once achieved, it can provide significant intelligence about the system's internal state and configuration. This information disclosure could be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where OfficeScan XG is deployed, as it may reveal details about the organization's security infrastructure, network topology, or sensitive operational data that could be used to plan more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 as an information gathering activity, and potentially T1059 for code execution if combined with other exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-15364 focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures to reduce the attack surface. Organizations should prioritize applying the vendor-provided security patches released by Trend Micro to address the out-of-bounds read condition in the named pipe processing logic. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of local exploitation, ensuring that even if an attacker gains low-privileged access, they cannot easily escalate privileges or access sensitive information. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unusual named pipe activity, implementing least privilege principles for service accounts, and conducting regular security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in the OfficeScan XG deployment. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in system components that handle inter-process communication, as inadequate boundary checking can lead to significant information disclosure risks. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous named pipe request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security awareness training for system administrators can help prevent initial compromise through social engineering attacks that might be used to establish the initial foothold required for exploitation.