CVE-2018-6232 in Maximum Security 2018
Summary
by MITRE
A buffer overflow privilege escalation vulnerability in Trend Micro Maximum Security (Consumer) 2018 could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges on vulnerable installations due to a flaw within processing of IOCTL 0x22205C by the tmnciesc.sys driver. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6232 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Trend Micro Maximum Security version 2018 consumer edition that enables local privilege escalation. This issue resides in the kernel-mode driver component tmnciesc.sys which handles IOCTL (Input/Output Control) operations with the specific code 0x22205C. The flaw occurs when the driver processes this particular IOCTL command without proper bounds checking, creating an opportunity for malicious code execution that can elevate privileges from standard user level to system level access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development where insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the affected system. Attackers exploiting this flaw can gain complete control over the vulnerable machine, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or use of the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks. The attack vector requires an initial foothold through execution of low-privileged code, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. This prerequisite execution capability means that an attacker must already have some form of user-level access to the system, but once achieved, the privilege escalation can be accomplished without requiring additional authentication or complex attack chains.
From a security perspective, the vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode drivers where memory corruption can lead to complete system compromise. The tmnciesc.sys driver's failure to implement adequate bounds checking for IOCTL 0x22205C creates a predictable attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors. This flaw also highlights the challenges inherent in securing endpoint protection software, as these applications often require elevated privileges to function properly and thus become attractive targets for exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation issue means that it can be leveraged by attackers who have already gained user-level access through other means such as phishing attacks, exploit kits, or social engineering campaigns that can lead to initial code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6232 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves installing the latest security patches provided by Trend Micro, which address the buffer overflow in the tmnciesc.sys driver. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including restricting user privileges, monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity, and applying the principle of least privilege to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. System administrators should consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for abnormal driver behavior or privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs that can identify and remediate similar issues in other security software components that may be susceptible to similar buffer overflow flaws.