CVE-2018-6780 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 0x9A0081E4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6780 resides within Jiangmin Antivirus version 16.0.0.100, specifically within its kernel-mode driver component known as KSysCall.sys. This driver operates at the highest privilege level within the Windows operating system, making it a critical component that requires robust input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests through improper handling of input parameters when processing IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, specifically targeting the control code 0x9A0081E4 which is used for communication between user-mode applications and the kernel-mode driver. The absence of proper input validation creates a pathway for malicious actors to exploit this weakness through crafted input values that can manipulate the driver's behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user submits malformed input data to the KSysCall.sys driver through the specified IOCTL interface. Without proper validation of input parameters, the driver processes these values directly without sanitization or bounds checking, leading to potential memory corruption scenarios. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input boundaries, and more specifically relates to CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write operations. The lack of input validation creates multiple attack vectors where malicious input can cause the driver to access invalid memory locations, potentially resulting in system instability or complete system crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, though that represents the most immediate consequence. When the driver encounters invalid input values, it can trigger a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), effectively crashing the entire operating system and rendering the machine unusable until a reboot occurs. However, the potential for more severe consequences exists, as the unspecified other impacts could include privilege escalation opportunities or information disclosure vulnerabilities. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability provides a local attacker with a reliable method to disrupt system operations, potentially enabling further attacks or creating a persistent foothold within the system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', as the kernel-mode driver access provides elevated privileges that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6780 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term defensive measures. The primary recommendation involves updating to a patched version of Jiangmin Antivirus that properly validates input parameters for all IOCTL requests, particularly the vulnerable 0x9A0081E4 control code. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of the vulnerable driver and related components. Additionally, monitoring for unusual IOCTL activity patterns or system crashes can help detect exploitation attempts. From a defensive standpoint, implementing kernel-mode exploit protection mechanisms such as Control Flow Guard and Driver Signature Enforcement can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly around input validation and boundary checking in kernel-mode components, which aligns with industry best practices outlined in the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards and Microsoft's Security Development Lifecycle guidelines. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their endpoint protection software to identify similar flaws in other security solutions that may present similar attack surfaces.