CVE-2018-6203 in eScan
Summary
by MITRE
In eScan Antivirus 14.0.1400.2029, the driver file (econceal.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 0x8300210C.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6203 resides within the eScan Antivirus version 14.0.1400.2029 security software, specifically within its kernel-mode driver component known as econceal.sys. This driver file serves as a critical interface between the antivirus software and the operating system's kernel, handling various security-related operations including system-level monitoring and protection functions. The flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the driver's implementation of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command 0x8300210C, which represents a standardized method for communicating with device drivers in windows operating systems. The vulnerability creates a dangerous condition where unvalidated user inputs can be directly processed by the kernel-mode driver without adequate sanitization or verification procedures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local attacker crafts malicious input parameters and submits them through the vulnerable IOCTL interface 0x8300210C. The driver fails to validate the size, type, or content of these input parameters before processing them, allowing potentially malformed or malicious data to be interpreted and executed within the privileged kernel context. This lack of input validation creates multiple potential attack vectors that can result in system instability and compromise. The most immediate and severe consequence is the potential for a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) to occur when the driver encounters invalid input data, causing the entire operating system to crash and requiring manual reboot. However, the vulnerability may also enable more sophisticated attacks beyond simple denial of service, as the unspecified other impacts could include privilege escalation opportunities or arbitrary code execution within kernel space.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6203 extends beyond simple system crashes to represent a significant security risk for organizations relying on eScan Antivirus protection. Local users with minimal privileges can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt system operations and potentially gain elevated access to system resources. The kernel-mode execution context means that successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass traditional user-mode security controls and access sensitive system information or manipulate core operating system functions. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, concerning heap-based buffer overflows, as the improper input validation can lead to memory corruption scenarios. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists within antivirus software, which typically runs with elevated privileges and has extensive system access permissions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with updating to the latest version of eScan Antivirus where the input validation issues have been resolved. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel-mode driver protection, application whitelisting, and monitoring for unusual IOCTL activity patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in kernel-mode drivers and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' through kernel exploits. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for similar input validation flaws in other antivirus and security software components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous driver behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent access to compromised systems through kernel-level persistence mechanisms.