CVE-2018-8765 in Security Guard
Summary
by MITRE
In 2345 Security Guard 3.6, the driver file (2345NetFirewall.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 0x00222018.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8765 resides within the 2345 Security Guard 3.6 security software suite, specifically within the kernel-mode driver component known as 2345NetFirewall.sys. This driver operates at the privileged kernel level and handles various system security functions including network traffic filtering and firewall operations. The flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms when processing IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, particularly for the specific control code 0x00222018. This vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that affects the integrity and stability of the operating system by allowing unauthorized code execution within kernel space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the driver's failure to validate input parameters received through the IOCTL interface. When a local user submits a malformed or malicious input value to the 0x00222018 control code, the driver processes this data without adequate sanitization or bounds checking. This lack of input validation creates a potential code execution pathway that can be exploited to trigger a system crash or induce unpredictable behavior within the kernel space. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds write operations that can occur when input validation fails. The absence of proper parameter validation allows attackers to manipulate memory structures or execute arbitrary code at kernel privilege levels, fundamentally compromising system security.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8765 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks against the compromised system. Local attackers with basic user privileges can leverage this vulnerability to cause system crashes resulting in blue screen of death (BSOD) conditions, effectively creating a persistent denial of service scenario. However, the potential consequences go beyond mere system instability, as the vulnerability could facilitate privilege escalation attacks or allow for the execution of arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. This represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where security software is deployed, as it undermines the very foundation of system security that such products are designed to provide. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it affects a security product itself, creating a scenario where the defensive mechanism becomes a potential attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8765 should prioritize immediate software updates from the vendor, as 2345 Security Guard 3.6 has been superseded by newer versions that address this specific vulnerability. System administrators should implement additional security measures including disabling unnecessary driver functionality, restricting local user privileges, and monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode drivers and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application protection measures and behavioral monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of installed security software are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities in other security products, as this flaw exemplifies the risks associated with inadequate input validation in privileged system components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical security implications when defensive software itself contains exploitable code that can be leveraged by malicious actors to compromise system integrity.