CVE-2018-8874 in Security Guard
Summary
by MITRE
In 2345 Security Guard 3.6, the driver file (2345Wrath.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 0x00222054.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8874 affects the 2345 Security Guard 3.6 software suite, specifically targeting the kernel-mode driver component known as 2345Wrath.sys. This driver exposes a critical security flaw through its handling of input validation for IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command 0x00222054, which operates at the kernel level within the Windows operating system. The flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation that can be exploited by local attackers to compromise system stability and potentially execute arbitrary code within kernel space. The vulnerability exists because the driver fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters received through this specific IOCTL interface, creating an opportunity for malicious input to cause unexpected behavior in the kernel.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the driver's insufficient validation mechanisms when processing IOCTL requests from user-mode applications. When a local user submits a crafted input to the IOCTL 0x00222054 command, the driver does not perform adequate bounds checking, type validation, or parameter sanitization before using these values in kernel operations. This lack of input validation creates a path for buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other kernel-level anomalies that can lead to system crashes or unexpected behavior. The vulnerability manifests as a blue screen of death (BSOD) due to the kernel's inability to handle malformed input gracefully, but the potential impacts extend beyond simple denial of service to include possible code execution within kernel context. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-129: Improper Validation of Array Index, as the driver fails to validate input values that could cause array access violations or memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8874 is significant for systems running 2345 Security Guard 3.6, as local attackers with basic user privileges can exploit this vulnerability to cause system instability and potential denial of service conditions. The BSOD resulting from this vulnerability effectively renders the affected system unusable until a reboot occurs, creating operational disruption for end users and IT administrators. Beyond simple denial of service, the kernel-level nature of the vulnerability raises concerns about potential privilege escalation opportunities, as attackers might be able to leverage the kernel memory corruption to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where security software is deployed, as it demonstrates how legitimate security tools can contain exploitable code that adversaries might target to gain system control. The attack surface is limited to local users who can interact with the system, but this limitation does not mitigate the severity of the potential impact.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8874 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The primary recommendation involves updating to the latest version of 2345 Security Guard where the vulnerability has been patched by implementing proper input validation for the affected IOCTL command. System administrators should also consider disabling or removing the vulnerable driver component if the security software is not actively needed or cannot be updated immediately. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities by reducing the attack surface available to local users. Additionally, implementing kernel-mode exploit protection mechanisms such as Control Flow Guard and Driver Signature Enforcement can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments of security software components to identify similar input validation flaws that might exist in other security tools. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel-mode programming practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as local users can potentially leverage this vulnerability to achieve system-level privileges. System monitoring should include detection of unusual BSOD patterns and kernel-mode activity that might indicate exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities.