CVE-2018-8997 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 0xf1002004.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8997 affects Windows Master software version 7.99.13.604, specifically targeting the WoptiHWDetect.SYS driver component. This driver serves as a hardware detection utility within the optimization software suite, designed to identify and manage hardware components on Windows systems. The flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the driver's implementation, creating a critical security weakness that can be exploited by local attackers to compromise system stability and potentially execute unauthorized operations.
The technical exploitation occurs through the IOCTL (Input/Output Control) function with code 0xf1002004, which represents a specific interface mechanism used by kernel-mode drivers to communicate with user-mode applications. This particular IOCTL command lacks proper validation of input parameters, allowing malicious input data to be processed without adequate sanitization or bounds checking. The absence of input validation creates a condition where malformed or unexpected data can be passed to the driver, leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability. According to CWE-20 standards for Improper Input Validation, this vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient data sanitization in kernel-level components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, potentially enabling more severe consequences including system crashes resulting in Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) scenarios. Local users with minimal privileges can leverage this weakness to disrupt normal system operations, causing unexpected reboots or complete system hangs that affect productivity and availability. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest potential for privilege escalation or additional attack vectors that could be exploited by determined adversaries. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and system resource hijacking through kernel-mode manipulation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by the vendor to address the input validation deficiencies in the driver component. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for unusual BSOD events or driver-related system instability that could indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege restriction measures can limit the potential impact of local exploitation, while regular security assessments should verify the absence of similar validation flaws in other driver components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode drivers, as outlined in industry best practices for secure system development and the necessity of thorough security testing for all driver components before deployment.