CVE-2018-6628 in Proactive Defense Software
Summary
by MITRE
In Micropoint proactive defense software 2.0.20266.0146, the driver file (mp110005.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 0x8000010c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6628 resides within the Micropoint proactive defense software version 2.0.20266.0146, specifically within its kernel-mode driver component mp110005.sys. This driver implements a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms when processing IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, particularly for the specific control code 0x8000010c. The absence of proper validation creates a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted input parameters that can trigger unexpected behavior in the kernel space. This vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient input validation, which is categorized under CWE-20 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing weaknesses that occur when software does not validate or incorrectly validates input data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user crafts a malicious IOCTL request with the control code 0x8000010c and sends it to the vulnerable driver. The driver fails to validate the input parameters provided in this request, allowing arbitrary data to be processed without proper sanitization or bounds checking. When the driver processes these unvalidated inputs, it can lead to memory corruption, invalid pointer dereferences, or other kernel-level errors that result in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) or system crash. The potential impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the unspecified other impacts could include privilege escalation opportunities or information disclosure vulnerabilities that may allow attackers to gain elevated system privileges or access sensitive system information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments that deploy Micropoint proactive defense software, particularly in scenarios where local user access is not properly restricted or where users have the ability to execute code on the system. The local privilege requirement means that attackers must already have access to the system to exploit this vulnerability, but this access can be gained through various attack vectors including social engineering, credential compromise, or other initial access methods. The vulnerability affects the stability and reliability of the system, potentially causing unexpected outages and service disruptions that could impact business operations. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain under techniques such as privilege escalation and defense evasion, where the attacker might use the BSOD conditions to cover their tracks or establish persistence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6628 should focus on immediate patch management and access control measures. Microsoft recommends applying the latest security updates and patches provided by the vendor to address this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and ensure that only authorized personnel have the ability to interact with the vulnerable driver. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual IOCTL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel-mode protection mechanisms and runtime application control to prevent unauthorized driver interactions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel-mode input validation and adheres to security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing the need for robust input sanitization and validation in all system components, particularly those operating at the kernel level where the consequences of input validation failures can be catastrophic.