CVE-2018-5273 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 0x9c40e014.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5273 resides within the Malwarebytes Premium 3.3.1.2183 security software, specifically within its kernel-mode driver component named FARFLT.SYS. This driver operates at the highest privilege level within the Windows operating system, making it a critical attack surface for potential exploitation. The flaw manifests through improper validation of input parameters received through a specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command identified by the code 0x9c40e014. This IOCTL interface serves as a communication channel between user-mode applications and the kernel-mode driver, allowing legitimate security functions to be executed while simultaneously creating an avenue for malicious input manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a lack of proper input validation within the driver's handling of the specified IOCTL command. When the driver receives data through this interface, it fails to validate the size, format, or content of the input parameters before processing them. This absence of validation creates a condition where malformed or malicious input can cause the driver to behave unpredictably, leading to system instability. The vulnerability specifically impacts the driver's ability to manage memory operations and control flow, resulting in potential system crashes that manifest as Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors. The vulnerability's classification as potentially enabling unspecified other impacts suggests that beyond simple denial of service, the malformed input processing could potentially allow for privilege escalation or other security breaches.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5273 extends beyond simple system disruption as it represents a fundamental flaw in the security software's architecture. Local users who can execute code on the target system gain the ability to trigger system crashes at will, effectively creating a persistent denial of service condition that can render the system unusable. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local system access, making it less severe than remote attacks but still concerning from a security perspective since it undermines the integrity of the security software itself. From a cybersecurity standpoint, this vulnerability demonstrates how security tools can become attack vectors when not properly hardened against malicious input, creating a paradox where the defensive mechanism becomes the offensive target. The issue aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel-mode vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5273 require immediate remediation through official patches provided by Malwarebytes, as the vulnerability cannot be effectively addressed through configuration changes or workarounds. System administrators should prioritize updating to the patched version of Malwarebytes Premium to eliminate the risk of exploitation. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, implementing additional monitoring controls can help detect potential exploitation attempts through abnormal BSOD patterns or driver behavior. Network segmentation and privilege separation can reduce the impact of potential exploitation by limiting local user access to systems running the vulnerable software. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of kernel-mode input validation and proper security testing of security tools themselves, as these components often operate with elevated privileges and can become significant attack vectors when not properly secured. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for unusual driver behavior or IOCTL command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.