CVE-2018-8726 in K7AntiVirus Premium
Summary
by MITRE • 01/12/2021
K7Computing Pvt Ltd K7Antivirus Premium 15.1.0.53 is affected by: Buffer Overflow. The impact is: execute arbitrary code (local). The component is: K7TSMngr.exe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8726 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within K7Computing Pvt Ltd's K7Antivirus Premium version 15.1.0.53. This security weakness resides in the K7TSMngr.exe component which serves as a core system management module for the antivirus software. The buffer overflow occurs when the application fails to properly validate input data before processing it within fixed-length memory buffers, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw specifically affects the local execution environment where a malicious actor with access to the system can potentially trigger the overflow condition through crafted input or manipulated system calls. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple memory corruption as it provides a pathway for arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized control over the affected system.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe given that K7Antivirus is designed to operate with elevated privileges during system management operations. The K7TSMngr.exe process typically runs with administrative rights, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous as it could allow attackers to bypass normal security restrictions and establish persistent system control. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where antivirus software often operates with broad system access permissions, potentially enabling lateral movement and privilege escalation attacks.
From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow for arbitrary code execution that could include malicious payloads or command execution capabilities. The local nature of the exploit means that attackers would need initial access to the system, but once achieved, they could leverage the elevated privileges of the K7TSMngr.exe process to perform operations that would otherwise be restricted. The vulnerability also relates to T1543.003 for create or modify system process, as it could enable attackers to modify or replace legitimate system processes with malicious alternatives.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the K7Antivirus software to the latest version that addresses this buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as application whitelisting to restrict execution of unauthorized code, enhanced privilege separation to reduce the impact of potential exploitation, and regular security assessments of endpoint protection software. Network segmentation and monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual process behavior or unauthorized code execution attempts. System administrators should consider implementing mandatory access controls and regular security audits of antivirus software configurations to prevent exploitation attempts and maintain overall system integrity.