CVE-2018-15732 in AntiMalware
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in STOPzilla AntiMalware 6.5.2.59. The driver file szkg64.sys contains an Arbitrary Write vulnerability due to not validating the output buffer address value from IOCtl 0x80002063.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15732 represents a critical security flaw within STOPzilla AntiMalware version 6.5.2.59 that stems from improper input validation within the kernel-mode driver component. This issue manifests through the szkg64.sys driver file which handles IOCTL (Input/Output Control) operations for device communication. The specific vulnerability occurs when processing IOCTL code 0x80002063, where the driver fails to validate the output buffer address, creating an arbitrary write condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw exists at the kernel level, meaning successful exploitation could result in privilege escalation and system compromise.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 category of "Out-of-bounds Write" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." The root cause lies in the driver's failure to perform proper validation of user-supplied buffer addresses before allowing write operations to memory locations. When an attacker can manipulate the output buffer address through the IOCTL interface, they gain the ability to write arbitrary data to any memory location accessible to the driver. This creates a pathway for executing malicious code with kernel-level privileges, bypassing standard operating system security mechanisms and potentially allowing complete system takeover.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the anti-malware solution itself. Since STOPzilla is designed to protect against malware, this vulnerability creates a paradox where the security tool becomes a potential attack vector. An attacker could leverage this arbitrary write condition to modify critical system components, inject malicious code into running processes, or manipulate the driver's functionality to disable security features. The vulnerability affects systems running the specific version of STOPzilla mentioned, potentially exposing thousands of endpoints to exploitation through a single flawed driver component.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-15732 should begin with immediate patching of the STOPzilla AntiMalware software to the latest version that addresses this specific driver vulnerability. Organizations should implement monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity and memory write patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The driver should be configured with appropriate access controls and user permissions to minimize the potential impact of any successful exploitation. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling or removing the vulnerable driver component until proper patches are deployed. Security teams should also implement behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous activities that might indicate an attacker attempting to leverage this arbitrary write condition, as traditional signature-based detection methods may not be effective against such kernel-level vulnerabilities.