CVE-2018-3634 in Online Connect Access
Summary
by MITRE
Parameter corruption in NDIS filter driver in Intel Online Connect Access 1.9.22.0 allows an attacker to cause a denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3634 resides within the NDIS filter driver component of Intel Online Connect Access version 1.9.22.0, representing a critical security flaw that undermines system stability through parameter corruption mechanisms. This issue specifically affects the network driver framework implementation where the filter driver fails to properly validate input parameters, creating a pathway for malicious manipulation that can result in system-wide denial of service conditions. The vulnerability manifests when local attackers exploit improper parameter handling within the network filtering infrastructure, allowing them to inject malformed data that corrupts driver state and disrupts normal network operations.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the NDIS filter driver architecture, where the system does not sufficiently sanitize or verify parameters passed to the driver during network packet processing operations. This parameter corruption occurs at the kernel level within the network driver stack, specifically affecting how the driver processes network traffic and manages connection states. The vulnerability creates a condition where malicious input can overwrite critical driver memory structures, leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability. According to CWE classification, this represents a variant of CWE-129: Improper Validation of Array Index, which occurs when the system fails to validate input parameters before processing them, and may also align with CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, where the corrupted parameters result in memory corruption beyond allocated boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3634 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise network connectivity and system availability for legitimate users. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause the affected system to become unresponsive or crash entirely, disrupting network communications and potentially affecting critical business operations that depend on stable network infrastructure. The local access requirement means that an attacker must already have user-level privileges on the target system, but this access level is often sufficient to establish persistent network disruption. The vulnerability affects systems running Intel Online Connect Access software, which typically operates in enterprise environments where network reliability is paramount, making this a particularly concerning issue for organizations with sensitive network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3634 should focus on immediate software updates from Intel to address the parameter validation deficiencies in the NDIS filter driver. Organizations should prioritize patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the vendor-provided security updates that correct the input validation mechanisms. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual network behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may manifest through network connectivity issues or intermittent service disruptions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service through kernel-level manipulation, specifically mapping to T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1499: Endpoint Denial of Service. System hardening measures should include restricting local user access where possible and implementing robust network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices in driver development, particularly around input validation and parameter handling, which should be enforced through security development lifecycle requirements and code review processes.