CVE-2018-6627 in Anti-Malware
Summary
by MITRE
In WatchDog Anti-Malware 2.74.186.150, the driver file (ZAMGUARD32.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 0x80002054.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6627 resides within WatchDog Anti-Malware version 2.74.186.150, specifically within its kernel-mode driver component ZAMGUARD32.SYS. This driver operates at a privileged level within the Windows operating system, making it a critical component for system security but also a prime target for exploitation when implementation flaws exist. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the driver's handling of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, specifically for the command code 0x80002054. This particular IOCTL interface represents a communication channel between user-mode applications and kernel-mode drivers, enabling legitimate system operations but also creating potential attack vectors when validation is insufficient.
The technical flaw stems from the driver's failure to properly validate input parameters received through the specified IOCTL command. When a local user process sends a crafted request to the driver using this IOCTL code, the system does not perform adequate checks on the data structure or parameter values being passed. This lack of input sanitization creates opportunities for memory corruption conditions that can lead to system instability. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the insufficient validation can potentially allow for arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation depending on the nature of the malformed input. The driver's response to invalid input values results in a blue screen of death (BSOD) condition, effectively crashing the operating system and rendering the affected machine unusable until a reboot occurs.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk for organizations relying on WatchDog Anti-Malware for endpoint protection. Local privilege escalation is possible since the vulnerable driver operates with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to gain system-level access. The impact extends to business continuity as the BSOD condition can occur without warning, potentially disrupting critical business processes. Additionally, the unspecified other impacts mentioned in the description suggest potential for more severe consequences including data loss or unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability affects any system running the specific driver version, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple systems may be exposed to the same threat vector.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate driver updates from the vendor, as the flaw exists within the kernel-mode driver component that cannot be effectively patched through standard software updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit local user access to systems running vulnerable anti-malware software, while also monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, Input Validation, and CWE-787, Out-of-bounds Write, as it involves improper validation of input parameters and potential memory corruption. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1484, Domain Policy Modification, as it can enable attackers to gain elevated privileges and potentially modify system policies. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls around kernel-mode driver activity and establishing incident response procedures specifically for driver-based vulnerabilities that can cause system-wide crashes.