CVE-2018-5270 in Anti-Malware
Summary
by MITRE
In Malwarebytes Premium 3.3.1.2183, the driver file (FARFLT.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 0x9c40e010.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5270 resides within the Malwarebytes Premium 3.3.1.2183 software suite, specifically targeting the kernel-mode driver component named FARFLT.SYS. This driver operates at the privileged kernel level and interfaces with user-mode applications through Windows I/O control codes, making it a critical component in the system's security architecture. The flaw manifests when the driver fails to properly validate input parameters received through IOCTL 0x9c40e010, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local malicious actors. The vulnerability represents a classic case of inadequate input validation within kernel-mode code, which is categorized under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1490 which covers "Inhibit System Recovery" through denial of service mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows local users to craft malicious input data that, when processed by the FARFLT.SYS driver, triggers unpredictable behavior leading to system instability. The specific IOCTL code 0x9c40e010 serves as the attack vector through which malformed input values are transmitted to the vulnerable driver component. When these unvalidated inputs reach the kernel level, they can cause memory corruption, invalid pointer dereferences, or other critical errors that result in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the vulnerability may potentially allow for privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution depending on the nature of the input manipulation. This represents a significant security risk because kernel-mode vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous due to their ability to bypass standard user-mode protections and operate with the highest system privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for organizations using Malwarebytes Premium 3.3.1.2183, as local attackers with basic user privileges can potentially disrupt system operations or gain elevated access. The attack surface is relatively narrow since exploitation requires local access, but the potential impact is severe given that the vulnerability exists within a security product designed to protect against malware threats. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical flaw in the driver's security architecture where input validation occurs at an inappropriate level or is completely omitted. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it undermines the trust model of the security product itself, as the very component designed to protect the system becomes a potential attack vector. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and proper input sanitization, which are fundamental security practices that should be implemented at all levels of system software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5270 should begin with immediate patching of the Malwarebytes Premium software to the latest version that addresses this specific vulnerability. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual kernel-mode activity or BSOD events that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper driver security testing and code review processes, particularly for kernel-mode components that handle user input. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as driver signature enforcement, system integrity checks, and behavioral monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The incident underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK framework guidance for defending against kernel-mode exploitation techniques. Regular security assessments of security software components are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into security products that are meant to protect against such threats.