CVE-2018-5718 in SysWatch
Summary
by MITRE
Improper restriction of write operations within the bounds of a memory buffer in snscore.sys in SoftControl/SafenSoft SysWatch, SoftControl/SafenSoft TPSecure, SoftControl/SafenSoft Enterprise Suite before version 4.4.1 allows local users to cause a denial of service (BSOD) or modify kernel-mode memory via loading of a forged DLL into an user-mode process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5718 represents a critical memory safety issue within the kernel-mode driver component of SoftControl/SafenSoft security products. This flaw exists in the snscore.sys driver which is part of the SoftControl/SafenSoft SysWatch, TPSecure, and Enterprise Suite software suites. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms that govern write operations within memory buffers, creating a potential pathway for malicious exploitation. The affected software versions prior to 4.4.1 contain this memory corruption vulnerability that can be leveraged by local attackers with system-level privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper restriction of write operations within memory buffer boundaries. When a malicious user loads a forged DLL into a user-mode process, the kernel-mode driver component fails to properly validate the memory operations that occur during this process. This allows the attacker to either trigger a blue screen of death (BSOD) through deliberate memory corruption or to modify kernel-mode memory contents directly. The flaw specifically affects the snscore.sys driver which handles security monitoring and control functions within the system. The vulnerability creates a condition where user-mode memory operations can influence kernel-mode memory regions, bypassing normal security boundaries that should protect the operating system kernel from user-space modifications.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system stability and security integrity. Local users with access to the system can leverage this flaw to either cause a denial of service condition by triggering system crashes or to modify critical kernel memory structures. The potential for kernel memory modification opens doors to privilege escalation scenarios where attackers could manipulate core system functions. The vulnerability affects the entire SoftControl/SafenSoft product line, including SysWatch, TPSecure, and Enterprise Suite, potentially compromising thousands of systems running these security solutions. The impact extends beyond simple system availability as the ability to modify kernel memory could enable more sophisticated attacks targeting the underlying operating system infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write operations. These classifications highlight the fundamental nature of the flaw as a memory safety issue that allows unauthorized modification of memory regions beyond their intended boundaries. From an attack methodology standpoint, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and T1499, covering 'Endpoint Denial of Service'. The local privilege requirement means that attackers must already have system-level access to exploit this vulnerability, but the potential for both denial of service and kernel memory modification makes it particularly concerning for environments where these security products are deployed.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to SoftControl/SafenSoft Enterprise Suite version 4.4.1 or later to address this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for suspicious DLL loading activities and ensure that only authorized security software runs on protected systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper bounds checking in kernel-mode drivers and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of system-level components. Regular security assessments should include evaluation of kernel-mode driver security, particularly in environments where security software with elevated privileges is deployed. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unauthorized DLL injection attempts can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.