CVE-2018-6319 in Tester Tool
Summary
by MITRE
In Sophos Tester Tool 3.2.0.7 Beta, the driver accepts a special DeviceIoControl code that doesn't check its argument. This argument is a memory address: if a caller passes a NULL pointer or a random invalid address, the driver will cause a Blue Screen of Death. If a program or malware does this at boot time, it can cause a persistent denial of service on the machine.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6319 resides within the Sophos Tester Tool version 3.2.0.7 Beta, specifically within its kernel-mode driver component that handles DeviceIoControl operations. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition where the driver fails to validate input parameters before processing them, creating an exploitable path for arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability manifests when the driver receives a DeviceIoControl code that does not properly validate its argument, which is expected to be a memory address. When attackers supply invalid memory addresses such as NULL pointers or random invalid addresses, the driver lacks proper validation mechanisms to prevent these malformed inputs from being processed, leading to immediate system crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where an application accesses memory beyond its allocated bounds. The driver's failure to validate the memory address argument creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation and system compromise. When the driver encounters an invalid memory address, it attempts to process the malformed input without proper bounds checking, resulting in a kernel-level memory corruption that ultimately triggers a Blue Screen of Death. This behavior is consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution, as the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution in kernel space, bypassing normal user-mode protections.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6319 extends beyond simple system instability, as it enables persistent denial of service attacks that can effectively disable target systems. When malware or malicious actors exploit this vulnerability during system boot time, they can establish a persistent foothold that prevents normal system operation, as the device will fail to boot properly or will repeatedly crash during startup sequences. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where system uptime is critical and automated boot processes may be exploited to maintain persistent access. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges since it targets a kernel-mode driver component, making it accessible to attackers who can execute code at user level, potentially leading to complete system compromise and lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6319 should focus on immediate driver updates from Sophos, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing the input validation deficiencies. System administrators should implement strict driver signature enforcement policies to prevent installation of unsigned or untrusted drivers, which can help contain exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious DeviceIoControl operations and implementing runtime protection measures can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode components and highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Standards, particularly regarding memory management and input sanitization. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous behavior patterns consistent with kernel-mode exploitation attempts, as traditional antivirus solutions may not detect such low-level attacks effectively.