CVE-2018-6471 in SUPERAntiSpyware Professional Trial
Summary
by MITRE
In SUPERAntiSpyware Professional Trial 6.0.1254, the driver file (SASKUTIL.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 0x9C402078.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6471 resides within the SUPERAntiSpyware Professional Trial version 6.0.1254 driver component known as SASKUTIL.SYS. This driver exposes a critical security flaw through its handling of input validation for a specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command identified as 0x9C402078. The flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation that can be exploited by local attackers to compromise system stability and potentially achieve more severe outcomes. The driver operates at kernel level, making any input validation failure particularly dangerous as it can directly impact the operating system's core functionality and security posture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the driver's failure to properly validate input parameters received through the specified IOCTL interface. When a local user submits malicious or malformed input data to the IOCTL 0x9C402078 handler, the driver processes this data without adequate sanitization or verification checks. This lack of input validation creates a condition where uncontrolled data can flow into kernel space operations, potentially leading to memory corruption, arbitrary code execution, or system instability. The vulnerability manifests as a blue screen of death (BSOD) due to the driver's inability to handle unexpected input values gracefully, demonstrating a clear violation of secure coding practices and input sanitization principles.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6471 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially encompass more severe security consequences. Local attackers who exploit this vulnerability can trigger system crashes that disrupt normal operations and may be used as a precursor to more sophisticated attacks. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that the input validation failure could potentially enable privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution under certain conditions. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for environments where local user access cannot be strictly controlled, as it provides a potential pathway for attackers to compromise system integrity and potentially gain elevated privileges.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local system privileges. The vulnerability represents a prime example of how kernel-mode drivers can become attack vectors when proper input validation mechanisms are absent. Organizations should consider implementing runtime monitoring and behavioral analysis to detect anomalous IOCTL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of driver security testing and code review processes, particularly for software that operates at system level and handles user input through kernel interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6471 should focus on immediate patching of the SUPERAntiSpyware software to the latest version that addresses the input validation flaw. System administrators should also implement least privilege principles to limit local user access where possible and monitor for unusual IOCTL activity patterns in system logs. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of all kernel-mode drivers in their environment to identify similar input validation vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even trial or freeware applications can contain critical security flaws that require immediate attention and remediation to prevent potential exploitation by malicious actors.