CVE-2018-8875 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 0x0022209c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8875 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 a specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command identified as 0x0022209c. The flaw represents a classic example of insufficient input validation within kernel-level components, which forms the basis for numerous security vulnerabilities in system software. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of improper input validation and kernel-mode execution, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's core protective mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the driver's failure to properly validate input parameters received through the specified IOCTL interface. When a local user submits malicious input to the 0x0022209c command, the driver processes these values without adequate sanitization or verification checks. This lack of validation creates opportunities for buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other exploitable conditions that can result in system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where privilege escalation is not required, making exploitation accessible to any local user with system access. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-129: Improper Validation of Array Index, which directly relates to the lack of input validation mechanisms in kernel drivers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests primarily as a denial of service condition that can result in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on Windows systems. This type of system crash effectively renders the affected computer unusable until a reboot occurs, causing significant disruption to users and potentially creating opportunities for additional attacks. Beyond the immediate denial of service, the vulnerability may enable more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation depending on the specific nature of the input validation failure. The vulnerability affects systems running the 2345 Security Guard 3.6 software, which is designed to provide system protection but paradoxically becomes a vector for system compromise through its own implementation flaws. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as local users can leverage kernel-level flaws to gain elevated system privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8875 should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as well as network-level protections to prevent unauthorized local access to affected systems. System administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel-mode input validation practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of driver components. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel-mode protection mechanisms and runtime application whitelisting to reduce the attack surface. Regular security assessments of third-party security software components are essential to identify similar validation flaws that could compromise system integrity. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of adhering to secure coding practices, particularly in kernel-mode drivers where security flaws can have catastrophic consequences for system availability and integrity.