CVE-2018-19084 in Malware Fighter
Summary
by MITRE
RegFilter.sys in IOBit Malware Fighter 6.2 is susceptible to a stack-based buffer overflow when an attacker uses IOCTL 0x8006E05C with a size larger than 8 bytes. This can lead to denial of service or code execution with root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19084 resides within the RegFilter.sys driver component of IOBit Malware Fighter version 6.2, representing a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw that fundamentally compromises system security. This vulnerability manifests through improper input validation within the driver's handling of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, specifically when processing the command code 0x8006E05C. The flaw occurs because the driver fails to adequately verify the size parameter of incoming data structures, allowing attackers to supply arbitrarily large payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space on the stack.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. When an attacker sends an IOCTL request with a payload exceeding eight bytes, the driver's processing routine executes without proper size validation, causing the stack to overflow and potentially corrupt critical execution context. This condition creates a predictable attack surface where malicious input can manipulate program flow and overwrite return addresses or other critical stack variables.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass full system compromise with kernel-level privileges. Since RegFilter.sys operates at the kernel level within the Windows driver framework, successful exploitation can result in privilege escalation to SYSTEM level access, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest possible system permissions. This elevation of privilege represents a severe security risk as it bypasses standard user access controls and operating system security boundaries, allowing attackers to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors.
The attack vector for this vulnerability leverages the Windows driver model's interface for device control operations, specifically targeting the vulnerable IOCTL handler within the Malware Fighter driver. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious IOCTL requests that trigger the buffer overflow condition, potentially through specially crafted malware or by leveraging other initial access vectors. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since it operates through legitimate driver interfaces, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be security-aware.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary recommendation involves updating to IOBit Malware Fighter version 6.3 or later, which includes patches that properly validate input sizes and implement appropriate buffer management techniques. System administrators should also consider implementing driver signature enforcement and disabling unnecessary driver functionality through group policy configurations. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity and implementing behavioral analysis tools can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques demonstrates its potential for advanced persistent threat scenarios, making comprehensive mitigation essential for protecting enterprise environments from sophisticated attack campaigns.