CVE-2018-15532 in TouchPad Driver
Summary
by MITRE
SynTP.sys in Synaptics Touchpad drivers before 2018-06-06 allows local users to obtain sensitive information about freed kernel addresses.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15532 affects Synaptics Touchpad drivers, specifically the SynTP.sys kernel driver component. This issue represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that occurs within the Windows kernel space, where the driver fails to properly sanitize memory contents before exposing them to user-mode applications. The flaw exists in the touchpad driver's handling of memory management operations, particularly when dealing with freed kernel memory regions that should not be accessible to local users. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of information leakage in kernel-mode drivers, which can provide attackers with critical insights into the system's memory layout and internal structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the SynTP.sys driver, where the kernel component does not adequately clear or protect memory regions that have been deallocated. When the driver processes touchpad input events or performs internal memory operations, it may inadvertently expose kernel addresses that were previously allocated and subsequently freed. This occurs due to insufficient validation of memory access patterns and lack of proper memory sanitization before returning data to user-space applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows local users to obtain sensitive information about kernel memory addresses, which can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or kernel exploitation techniques. The flaw is classified as a memory safety issue with direct implications for system security and integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-15532 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used to bypass security mitigations and develop more targeted attacks. Local attackers who can execute code on the system can exploit this vulnerability to gather kernel memory addresses, which are essential for crafting successful exploitation payloads. This information can be used to defeat kernel address space layout randomization (KASLR) protections, which are fundamental security mechanisms designed to prevent attackers from predicting memory locations. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security boundary between user-mode and kernel-mode execution contexts, making it easier for attackers to perform advanced exploitation techniques such as return-oriented programming (ROP) or jump-oriented programming (JOP) attacks that rely on knowing specific memory addresses. The impact is particularly severe on systems where the touchpad driver is frequently accessed, as the vulnerability can be triggered through normal touchpad usage patterns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided security patches released by Synaptics, which address the memory management flaws in the SynTP.sys driver. System administrators should ensure that all affected touchpad drivers are updated to versions released after June 6, 2018, which contain the necessary fixes for proper memory sanitization and access control. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact of local exploitation, while monitoring for unusual touchpad driver activity may help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary touchpad functionality when it is not required, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with security standards such as those outlined in the CWE-200 category for information disclosure and the MITRE ATT&CK framework's techniques related to privilege escalation and kernel-mode exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in kernel drivers and serves as a reminder of the need for thorough security testing and validation of device drivers before deployment in production environments.