CVE-2018-19085 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 0x8006E048 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-2018-19085 resides within the RegFilter.sys kernel driver component of IOBit Malware Fighter version 6.2, representing a critical stack-based buffer overflow condition that fundamentally compromises system security. This flaw manifests when the vulnerable driver processes IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests with the specific command code 0x8006E048, where an attacker can supply data exceeding the intended 8-byte buffer limit. The underlying issue stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the kernel-mode driver, creating an exploitable condition that allows arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack buffer overflow pattern where insufficient boundary checks permit data to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. When the driver receives an IOCTL request with oversized data, the kernel routine fails to properly validate the input size before copying data into a fixed-size buffer, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. This condition operates at the kernel level, meaning successful exploitation grants attackers complete system control, including the ability to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges equivalent to root access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables full system compromise through code execution capabilities. An attacker exploiting this flaw can gain unrestricted access to system resources, escalate privileges to administrator level, and potentially establish persistent backdoors or deploy additional malware. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since it operates through kernel-mode drivers that typically run with elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be security-aware. The root privilege escalation aspect directly aligns with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting kernel-mode exploitation methods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19085 should prioritize immediate patching of IOBit Malware Fighter to version 6.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement kernel-mode driver isolation techniques and employ kernel integrity protection mechanisms such as Windows Kernel Patch Protection (PatchGuard) to prevent unauthorized driver modifications. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity and implementing application whitelisting can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode components, aligning with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow classification and representing a prime example of how inadequate security controls in system-level software can result in complete system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.