CVE-2018-15737 in AntiMalware
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in STOPzilla AntiMalware 6.5.2.59. The driver file szkg64.sys contains a Denial of Service vulnerability due to not validating the output buffer address value from IOCtl 0x80002043.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15737 resides within STOPzilla AntiMalware version 6.5.2.59 and specifically targets the szkg64.sys kernel driver component. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity and availability of the system's defensive mechanisms. The issue manifests through improper input validation within the driver's handling of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's security posture.
The technical flaw occurs at the kernel level where the szkg64.sys driver fails to properly validate the output buffer address value when processing IOCTL code 0x80002043. This particular IOCTL operation serves as an interface point for communication between user-mode applications and the kernel driver, making it a prime target for exploitation. The absence of proper buffer validation allows attackers to craft malicious input that can cause the driver to reference invalid memory addresses, leading to system instability and potential system crashes. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-122 category of "Buffer Overflow" and specifically relates to improper validation of buffer parameters in kernel-mode drivers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to encompass potential complete system compromise. When an attacker successfully exploits this denial of service condition, they can cause the STOPzilla anti-malware service to crash or become unresponsive, effectively removing the system's protection against malicious software. This creates a window of opportunity for additional attacks, as the system operates with reduced security coverage. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear path for privilege escalation and can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques. From an attack methodology perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter and T1489 for denial of service, as it creates conditions for both service disruption and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves updating to the latest version of STOPzilla AntiMalware where the driver validation has been corrected. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual IOCTL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Kernel-mode exploit prevention measures such as driver signature enforcement and control flow integrity checks should be enabled to reduce the attack surface. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel drivers and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when such validation is omitted, making it a prime example of how seemingly minor implementation flaws can have significant security implications.