CVE-2018-6208 in Anti Virus
Summary
by MITRE
In Max Secure Anti Virus 19.0.3.019,, the driver file (MaxProtector32.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 0x22000d.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6208 affects Max Secure Anti Virus version 19.0.3.019 and represents a critical security flaw within the driver component known as MaxProtector32.sys. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the device driver's implementation, specifically concerning the IOCTL 0x22000d control code. The root cause aligns with CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, and CWE-755, covering improper handling of exceptional conditions. The driver fails to properly validate data received from user-mode applications through the specified IOCTL interface, creating a pathway for malicious input manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when local users submit malformed input parameters to the MaxProtector32.sys driver via the IOCTL 0x22000d interface. This lack of input sanitization allows attackers to trigger memory corruption conditions that result in system instability. The most immediate impact manifests as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) due to kernel-mode memory corruption, effectively causing a system crash and denial of service. However, the vulnerability's potential extends beyond simple denial of service, as the unspecified other impacts could include privilege escalation opportunities or arbitrary code execution within kernel space, depending on the specific memory corruption patterns and the attacker's ability to control input parameters. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on Max Secure Anti Virus, as local users with minimal privileges can disrupt system operations and potentially gain elevated access. The vulnerability exists in the kernel-mode driver component, making it particularly dangerous since successful exploitation can compromise the entire system's integrity. Attackers could leverage this flaw to cause persistent system outages, disrupt critical business operations, or establish persistent access through privilege escalation. The fact that this vulnerability affects a security product itself creates an ironic and dangerous situation where the protection mechanism becomes a potential attack vector. Organizations using this software face increased risk of system compromise, especially in environments where local user access is not properly restricted. The vulnerability's persistence across system reboots and its potential for privilege escalation makes it particularly concerning for enterprise security postures. Mitigation strategies should include immediate software updates from the vendor, implementation of network segmentation to limit local user access, and monitoring for unusual BSOD events that could indicate exploitation attempts.