CVE-2018-8996 in Windows Master
Summary
by MITRE
In Windows Master (aka Windows Optimization Master) 7.99.13.604, the driver file (WoptiHWDetect.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 0xf1002007.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8996 resides within Windows Master, specifically version 7.99.13.604, where the WoptiHWDetect.SYS driver component exhibits critical security flaws that can be exploited by local attackers to compromise system stability and potentially execute arbitrary code. This driver serves as a hardware detection utility within the optimization software suite, but its implementation lacks proper input validation mechanisms that would normally protect against malicious or malformed data inputs. The vulnerability specifically manifests through IOCTL 0xf1002007, which represents a control code used for communication between user-mode applications and kernel-mode drivers in the Windows operating system.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation of input parameters received through the specified IOCTL interface, creating a path for privilege escalation and system instability. When a local user submits crafted input data to the driver via this control code, the absence of proper parameter validation allows malicious data to traverse the driver's processing pipeline without adequate sanitization. This condition creates a potential for kernel-mode exploitation that can result in system crashes manifesting as bluescreen of death (BSOD) errors, effectively causing denial of service conditions that render the affected system unusable. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation vector means that attackers with minimal system access can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges within the kernel space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the lack of input validation creates potential for arbitrary code execution within kernel mode, which directly violates fundamental security principles of operating system isolation and protection. This type of vulnerability represents a classic example of a buffer overflow or input validation flaw that can be exploited to bypass security mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. The vulnerability's presence in a system optimization tool creates particular concern because these utilities often require elevated privileges to function properly, making the attack surface more accessible to malicious actors who might already have user-level access to the target system.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input boundaries, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation'. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious input data that, when processed by the vulnerable driver, triggers kernel memory corruption. The impact severity classification for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects system availability and integrity, potentially allowing attackers to maintain persistent access to compromised systems. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat that requires immediate remediation, especially in environments where system optimization tools are commonly deployed and where local privilege escalation could provide attackers with deeper system access.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected software, as the vendor has likely released updates addressing this specific vulnerability. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual IOCTL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while considering the deployment of kernel-mode exploit detection solutions. Additionally, privilege separation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that system optimization tools do not operate with unnecessary elevated privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode drivers and serves as a reminder of the security risks associated with third-party system optimization software that requires deep system integration.