CVE-2018-6209 in Anti Virus
Summary
by MITRE
In Max Secure Anti Virus 19.0.3.019,, the driver file (MaxCryptMon.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 0x220019.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6209 resides within Max Secure Anti Virus version 19.0.3.019 and specifically affects the MaxCryptMon.sys kernel driver component. This driver serves as a critical system component responsible for providing anti-virus protection and system monitoring capabilities. The flaw manifests through inadequate input validation mechanisms within the driver's handling of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, particularly when processing the specific IOCTL code 0x220019. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient validation of user-supplied data within kernel-mode components, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited by local adversaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the driver's failure to properly validate input parameters when processing the IOCTL 0x220019 request. When a local user submits crafted input data to this specific IOCTL interface, the driver does not perform adequate bounds checking or parameter validation before proceeding with operations. This lack of input sanitization creates opportunities for memory corruption issues that can lead to system instability. The vulnerability can result in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) due to improper handling of invalid memory access patterns or buffer overflows within the kernel space. According to CWE-129, this vulnerability aligns with the weakness category of "Improper Validation of Array Index," while also demonstrating characteristics of CWE-754, "Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions," and CWE-125, "Out-of-bounds Read."
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios. While the primary effect manifests as system crashes leading to BSOD conditions, the potential for unspecified other impacts suggests additional security implications that could include privilege escalation opportunities or information disclosure vulnerabilities. Local users who can execute code on the target system can leverage this flaw to disrupt normal system operations and potentially gain elevated privileges. The attack vector requires local system access, making it less severe than remote exploitation scenarios but still concerning given that any local user can potentially trigger the vulnerability. This weakness can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1490, "Inhibit System Recovery," which demonstrates how such vulnerabilities can be used to undermine system integrity and availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on input validation improvements and proper driver security hardening. System administrators should immediately update to the latest version of Max Secure Anti Virus that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the vendor likely released a patched driver component. Additionally, implementing kernel-mode exploit protection mechanisms such as Driver Signature Enforcement and Windows Defender Application Control can help prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities. The recommended approach includes disabling unnecessary driver interfaces, implementing strict input validation at all kernel-mode entry points, and conducting regular security assessments of driver components. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous IOCTL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would need to be addressed to meet security standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-171 and ISO 27001 requirements for system integrity and protection against unauthorized access.