CVE-2018-8876 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 0x00222098.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8876 resides within the 2345 Security Guard 3.6 security software suite, specifically within its kernel-mode driver component known as 2345Wrath.sys. This driver file implements a security mechanism that processes input from various IOCTL (Input/Output Control) commands, with the specific vulnerability manifesting through the handling of IOCTL code 0x00222098. The flaw represents a critical design oversight in the driver's input validation mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to compromise system stability and potentially execute arbitrary code within kernel space. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied parameters passed through the IOCTL interface, allowing malicious input to bypass normal security checks and potentially corrupt system memory or trigger unexpected behavior in the kernel execution environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input ranges, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions. The driver's failure to validate input parameters for IOCTL 0x00222098 creates a path for attackers to inject malformed data that can cause unpredictable behavior when processed by the kernel-mode driver. When the driver receives input data that exceeds expected boundaries or contains unexpected values, it fails to properly sanitize or validate these inputs before processing them, leading to potential memory corruption or invalid memory access patterns that can result in system crashes. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at kernel level where privilege escalation is not required for exploitation, and the impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests primarily as a denial of service condition that can trigger Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, effectively rendering the affected system unstable and unusable. However, the potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that the vulnerability may also enable additional attack vectors beyond simple system crashes. The local nature of the attack means that any user with access to the system can potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly concerning for environments where user access control is not strictly enforced. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt system operations, potentially causing data loss or service interruptions, while the unspecified impacts may include privilege escalation opportunities or other security bypass mechanisms that could allow for more extensive system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in security software creates a particularly ironic scenario where the defensive mechanisms become attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8876 should focus on immediate remediation through vendor-provided patches and updates to the 2345 Security Guard software suite. System administrators should implement strict access controls and user permissions to limit local user access where possible, while monitoring for suspicious system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', suggests that defensive measures should include monitoring for kernel-level anomalies and implementing kernel-mode protection mechanisms such as Driver Signature Enforcement and Windows Defender Application Control. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of local exploitation, while maintaining regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other security software components. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches to ensure they do not introduce compatibility issues with existing security configurations, and system administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts through system logs and security event monitoring systems that can detect unusual kernel activity patterns.