CVE-2018-5272 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 0x9c40e004.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5272 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, creating a critical attack surface where improper input validation can lead to system-wide consequences. The flaw manifests when the driver processes IOCTL code 0x9c40e004, which represents a specific communication channel between the application and the kernel driver. This particular IOCTL code is designed to handle file filtering operations, but due to insufficient validation mechanisms, malicious or malformed input can be passed directly to kernel space without proper sanitization.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input bounds, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. When local users submit crafted input values to the IOCTL 0x9c40e004 handler, the driver fails to validate the parameters before using them in kernel memory operations. This validation failure creates multiple potential attack vectors including buffer overflows, invalid memory access patterns, and privilege escalation opportunities. The most immediate and visible impact is the potential for Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) conditions, which occur when the kernel encounters an unrecoverable error and must immediately halt system operations to prevent further corruption. The system instability can be leveraged to disrupt normal operations or potentially serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it represents a fundamental security weakness in the software's architecture that could be exploited by malicious actors. Local privilege escalation remains a significant concern since kernel-mode code operates with the highest system privileges, meaning any vulnerability in such components can potentially allow attackers to gain complete system control. The vulnerability's local nature does not diminish its severity, as it requires no network access or special privileges beyond normal user access to the system. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact entry point that could be combined with other techniques to achieve persistent access or execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that beyond the immediate BSOD conditions, there may be additional security implications including data exposure or system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5272 should focus on immediate remediation through official software updates from Malwarebytes, as the vendor would have released patches addressing the input validation deficiencies in subsequent versions. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity or BSOD events that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode drivers, which should always validate all parameters received from user-mode applications before processing them in privileged contexts. Organizations should consider implementing runtime application control measures and endpoint detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability could impact security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 controls related to input validation and system integrity. The incident highlights the critical need for security testing in kernel-mode components and proper adherence to secure coding practices, particularly in systems where user input directly influences privileged operations. Additionally, defensive measures such as disabling unnecessary kernel drivers and implementing least privilege principles can help reduce the attack surface, while regular security assessments of third-party software components can identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in production environments.