CVE-2018-5278 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 0x9c40e00c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5278 resides within the Malwarebytes Premium 3.3.1.2183 driver component known as FARFLT.SYS which operates at the kernel level of the Windows operating system. This driver serves as a critical security component responsible for protecting systems against various malware threats through real-time monitoring and protection mechanisms. The flaw manifests in the driver's handling of input validation for a specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command identified by the code 0x9c40e00c, which represents a communication channel between user-mode applications and kernel-mode driver components. The absence of proper input validation creates a dangerous condition where malicious or malformed input can be processed without adequate sanitization or verification, potentially leading to system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when local users submit crafted input data through the designated IOCTL interface 0x9c40e00c. This particular IOCTL code is likely used for communication between the Malwarebytes user interface and the kernel driver to perform specific security operations or retrieve system information. Without proper validation mechanisms, the driver processes these inputs directly, allowing for potential buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other memory-related issues that can trigger system crashes. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, which is classified as CWE-20 by the Common Weakness Enumeration standard, representing one of the most fundamental and frequently exploited security flaws in software development. The lack of input sanitization creates an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate driver behavior through carefully crafted input parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, though a blue screen of death (BSOD) represents the most immediate and visible consequence. Local users with access to the system can potentially trigger system crashes that result in complete system shutdown or reboot, disrupting normal operations and potentially causing data loss. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that beyond the immediate BSOD conditions, there may be additional security implications including privilege escalation opportunities or information disclosure vulnerabilities. The kernel-level nature of the driver means that any successful exploitation could potentially allow attackers to bypass normal operating system security controls, creating a significant risk for systems running this specific version of Malwarebytes Premium. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' and represents a classic example of how driver-level vulnerabilities can be exploited to gain elevated system privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5278 should focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of Malwarebytes Premium that addresses the input validation issues within the FARFLT.SYS driver component. Organizations should implement strict patch management protocols to ensure all systems running Malwarebytes Premium are updated to versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual IOCTL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode drivers, where even minor oversights can lead to severe system compromise. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized driver components and maintain comprehensive system logging to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of third-party security software components are essential to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that could exist in other security tools within the enterprise environment.