CVE-2018-6783 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 0x9A00825C.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6783 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 attack surface that requires rigorous input validation. The flaw manifests through improper handling of input values received via IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command 0x9A00825C, which represents a direct interface between user-mode applications and kernel-mode driver functionality. The absence of proper input validation creates a pathway for malicious or unintended operations that can compromise system stability and security.
This vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient input validation, which maps directly to CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation, and falls under the broader category of kernel-mode buffer overflows or invalid memory access conditions. The IOCTL 0x9A00825C command serves as a communication channel where user-space applications can send specific control codes to the driver to execute privileged operations. When the KSysCall.sys driver fails to validate parameters passed through this interface, it creates opportunities for attackers to inject malformed data that can cause unpredictable behavior within the kernel space. The resulting system instability can manifest as bluescreen of death (BSOD) crashes, effectively creating a denial of service condition that renders the affected system unusable until reboot.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as the unspecified other impacts suggest potential for more severe consequences including privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution. Local users who can interact with the antivirus driver through legitimate means can exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges or cause system-wide instability. The attack vector requires local system access, making it less severe than remote exploits but still highly concerning given the privileged nature of kernel-mode drivers. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it provides a mechanism for local attackers to potentially elevate their privileges through driver manipulation. The presence of a kernel-mode driver with inadequate input validation creates a persistent threat that can be leveraged by attackers who have already gained local access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate driver updates from Jiangmin, as the vendor would need to implement proper input validation routines for all IOCTL commands. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as driver signature enforcement, kernel-mode code integrity checks, and monitoring for suspicious driver behavior. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that the patched driver maintains all necessary functionality while eliminating the input validation gaps. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local user privileges and reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments of antivirus and security software components are essential to identify similar validation weaknesses that could create similar attack surfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in kernel-mode drivers and the potential consequences when proper input validation is omitted in security-critical components.