CVE-2018-8998 in Advanced SystemCare Ultimate
Summary
by MITRE
In Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 11.0.1.58, the driver file (Monitor_x86.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 0x9c4060cc.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8998 resides within Advanced SystemCare Ultimate version 11.0.1.58 and specifically targets the Monitor_x86.sys driver component. This driver file operates at the kernel level within the Windows operating system, making it a critical component that requires robust input validation to prevent system instability and potential security breaches. The flaw manifests through improper validation of input parameters received through IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command 0x9c4060cc, which is a standard mechanism used by Windows drivers to communicate with user-mode applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-20, which defines "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness that occurs when a system does not properly validate or sanitize input data before processing it. When the Monitor_x86.sys driver receives a malformed or unexpected input value through the specified IOCTL command, it fails to perform adequate validation checks, leading to potential system crashes or undefined behavior. This lack of input sanitization creates a pathway for malicious actors or untrusted applications to exploit the driver's weaknesses, potentially causing the system to become unstable.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as evidenced by the description indicating "possibly have unspecified other impact." A local attacker with access to the system can leverage this weakness to trigger a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) by sending crafted input values through the vulnerable IOCTL interface. This type of attack represents a significant threat to system availability and can result in data loss, service interruption, and potential compromise of the entire system state. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation vector means that even users with minimal privileges can potentially cause system-wide disruptions.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system access. Attackers can utilize this weakness to establish persistent access or to create conditions that facilitate further exploitation. The kernel-level nature of the driver makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous because it operates outside of normal user-mode security boundaries, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or system compromise. The lack of proper input validation creates an attack surface that can be exploited to manipulate driver behavior in ways that may not be immediately apparent to system administrators.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate driver updates from the vendor, which would include proper input validation mechanisms and potentially code integrity checks to prevent exploitation. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity and consider disabling unnecessary driver functionality. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security practices and proper input validation as outlined in industry standards for secure software development. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially malicious code that could exploit this vulnerability through crafted IOCTL commands.