CVE-2018-5713 in Anti-Malware
Summary
by MITRE
In Malwarefox Anti-Malware 2.72.169, the driver file (zam64.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 0x80002010.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5713 resides within the Malwarefox Anti-Malware software version 2.72.169, specifically targeting the kernel-mode driver component named zam64.sys. This driver operates at the highest privilege level within the Windows operating system, making it a critical component that requires rigorous security validation. The flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the driver's handling of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, particularly when processing the specific control code 0x80002010. The absence of proper validation allows malicious or unintended input values to be processed without adequate sanitization, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited by local users with system-level privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software components, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities in kernel-mode drivers. When a local user submits malformed input parameters through the IOCTL 0x80002010 interface, the driver fails to validate the incoming data structures, potentially leading to memory corruption within kernel space. This memory corruption can manifest as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) when the operating system detects invalid memory access patterns or when the driver's internal state becomes corrupted beyond repair. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the unspecified other impacts could potentially include privilege escalation opportunities or arbitrary code execution within kernel context, given the driver's elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for systems running the affected Malwarefox Anti-Malware version, particularly in enterprise environments where local user access might be more prevalent. Local users with standard account privileges can potentially trigger system instability, resulting in unexpected system reboots or complete system crashes that disrupt normal business operations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access to the system, making it less severe than remote exploits but still concerning from a security perspective. Attackers could leverage this weakness to establish persistent access through system instability, or potentially to escalate privileges if additional vulnerabilities exist within the driver's codebase or the broader software ecosystem. The issue demonstrates a fundamental flaw in kernel-mode driver development practices, where input validation is either omitted or insufficiently implemented.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate and long-term approaches to address the root cause. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to the latest version of Malwarefox Anti-Malware where the driver input validation has been properly implemented and tested. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring to detect unusual patterns of IOCTL usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a defensive standpoint, implementing kernel-mode driver integrity checks and using tools like Windows Defender Application Control or similar kernel-mode protection mechanisms can help prevent unauthorized driver modifications or loading. The vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's T1068, which covers local privilege escalation techniques, and T1543, which addresses persistence mechanisms through kernel drivers. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls and restricting local user access to prevent unauthorized exploitation of such kernel-mode vulnerabilities.