CVE-2018-6786 in Jiangmin
Summary
by MITRE
In Jiangmin Antivirus 16.0.0.100, the driver file (KVFG.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 0x220840.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6786 resides within Jiangmin Antivirus version 16.0.0.100, specifically within its kernel-mode driver component KVFG.sys. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the driver's implementation. The vulnerability manifests through improper handling of input values received via IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command 0x220840, which is a standard mechanism used by user-mode applications to communicate with kernel-mode drivers in windows operating systems. The lack of proper validation creates an avenue for malicious input manipulation that can lead to system instability and potential exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input bounds, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions. When a local user submits crafted input data to the IOCTL 0x220840 interface, the driver fails to validate the parameters before processing them, potentially leading to memory corruption or improper resource handling. This validation failure can result in a blue screen of death (BSOD) as the operating system detects critical system instability, or it may enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the specific memory corruption patterns. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where privilege escalation opportunities exist, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to elevate their privileges within the system.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Jiangmin Antivirus for endpoint protection. The local privilege escalation potential means that any user with access to the system could potentially exploit this flaw to gain elevated privileges, while the denial of service component can disrupt critical business operations through system crashes. The attack surface is relatively broad since the vulnerability is accessible to local users without requiring special privileges, making it an attractive target for both malicious actors and automated exploitation tools. Security analysts should note that this vulnerability may be exploited as part of broader attack chains, potentially serving as a stepping stone for more advanced persistent threats.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6786 should prioritize immediate patching of the Jiangmin Antivirus software to the latest available version that addresses the input validation issues. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity patterns and consider disabling unnecessary driver interfaces where possible. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1490 (Inhibit System Recovery), making it a critical component in threat hunting and incident response activities. Network segmentation and user access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation, while regular security assessments should verify that driver components are properly hardened against similar validation flaws. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper kernel-mode security practices and demonstrates the critical need for thorough input validation in all system components, particularly those operating with elevated privileges.