CVE-2018-5082 in K7
Summary
by MITRE
In K7 AntiVirus 15.1.0306, the driver file (K7FWHlpr.sys) allows local users to cause a denial of service (BSOD) or possibly have unspecified other impact because of not validating input values from IOCtl 0x83002128.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5082 affects K7 AntiVirus version 15.1.0306 and represents a critical security flaw within the kernel-mode driver component K7FWHlpr.sys. This issue manifests through improper input validation mechanisms when processing IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, specifically targeting the control code 0x83002128. The flaw exists at the driver level where user-mode applications can interact with kernel-mode components through Windows I/O control interface, creating a potential attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise system stability and security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the driver's failure to validate input parameters received through the specified IOCTL interface. When a local user submits crafted input data to the IOCTL 0x83002128 handler, the driver processes these values without adequate sanitization or verification checks. This lack of input validation creates a condition where malformed or unexpected data can cause the driver to behave unpredictably, leading to system crashes and blue screen of death (BSOD) scenarios. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and CWE-119, which covers weak input validation leading to memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as local attackers can potentially leverage this flaw to achieve arbitrary code execution within kernel space. The BSOD conditions represent immediate system availability issues that disrupt normal operations, while the unspecified other impacts suggest potential for more severe consequences including privilege escalation or persistent system compromise. Attackers with local access can exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, potentially allowing them to bypass security controls and establish persistent access to affected systems. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers locally executed malicious code, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreters.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5082 should prioritize immediate patching of the K7 AntiVirus software to the latest version that addresses this driver validation issue. System administrators should implement least privilege principles to limit local user access to prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring for unusual BSOD patterns and system crashes can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel-mode driver validation and input sanitization practices. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of third-party antivirus solutions to identify similar validation flaws in other security software components. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks. Regular system updates and patch management processes are essential to address such kernel-level vulnerabilities that can provide attackers with elevated system access and compromise overall security posture.