CVE-2018-19087 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 0x8006E044 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-2018-19087 resides within the RegFilter.sys kernel driver component of IOBit Malware Fighter version 6.2, representing a critical security flaw that exposes systems to potential exploitation. This driver operates at the kernel level and handles various system registry operations, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation within the driver's handling of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) commands, specifically when processing command 0x8006E044. The flaw constitutes a stack-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when the driver receives an input parameter exceeding the expected 8-byte limit, creating a scenario where malicious data can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the kernel stack.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-defined pattern that aligns with common kernel-level attack methodologies. When an attacker submits an IOCTL request with 0x8006E044 command code and a parameter larger than 8 bytes, the driver fails to properly validate the input size before copying data into a fixed-size stack buffer. This oversight allows the attacker to overflow the buffer and potentially overwrite the return address of the function, enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that the affected driver operates with kernel-level privileges, meaning successful exploitation would grant the attacker complete system control. According to CWE-121, this represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability where insufficient bounds checking leads to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-19087 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the highest possible privileges, effectively bypassing standard user access controls and system security mechanisms. The root privilege execution capability means that successful exploitation would allow attackers to install persistent backdoors, modify system files, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where malware fighters are commonly deployed, as it provides a direct path to system compromise through legitimate security software components. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that kernel-level exploits are notoriously difficult to detect and prevent through traditional endpoint protection measures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from system administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves updating to IOBit Malware Fighter version 6.3 or later, where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should also implement defensive measures such as kernel patch protection, driver signature enforcement, and monitoring for unusual IOCTL activity patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in kernel drivers, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through kernel vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime application control measures and monitoring for suspicious driver behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of installed security software components are essential to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other system drivers or kernel modules.