CVE-2018-6768 in Jiangmin
Summary
by MITRE
In Jiangmin Antivirus 16.0.0.100, the driver file (KSysCall.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 0x9A008090.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6768 affects Jiangmin Antivirus version 16.0.0.100 and resides within the kernel-mode driver component known as KSysCall.sys. This represents a critical security flaw that demonstrates poor input validation practices within the antivirus software's defensive infrastructure. The issue manifests through an IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command with the specific identifier 0x9A008090 which is processed by the vulnerable driver, creating an avenue for exploitation that can result in system instability and potential privilege escalation.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation of input parameters received through the IOCTL interface, specifically for the command code 0x9A008090. When malicious or malformed input data is passed to this driver routine, the system fails to properly sanitize or verify the incoming parameters before processing them. This lack of input validation creates a condition where untrusted data can directly influence kernel execution paths, leading to unpredictable behavior and system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where privilege escalation opportunities exist, allowing local users to potentially execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential system instability and compromise of the entire security ecosystem. A local attacker can trigger a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) by sending crafted input to the vulnerable driver, effectively rendering the system unusable and causing significant disruption to business operations. Additionally, the unspecified other impacts suggest that the vulnerability may enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, information disclosure, or even remote code execution depending on the specific implementation details. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the antivirus software itself, as the security tool becomes a potential attack vector rather than a protective mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6768 should focus on immediate patch deployment from Jiangmin to address the driver validation issues. System administrators must ensure that all antivirus components are updated to versions that properly validate all IOCTL input parameters before processing. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input, and represents a classic example of insufficient input sanitization in kernel-mode drivers. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could map to privilege escalation techniques and defense evasion methods, as local users could leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual IOCTL activity and consider temporary disabling of the vulnerable driver component until proper patches are applied. The incident highlights the critical importance of kernel-mode security testing and proper input validation practices in security software, as these components form the core of system protection mechanisms and their compromise directly affects overall security posture.