CVE-2018-9000 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 0x9c402004.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9000 resides within Advanced SystemCare Ultimate version 11.0.1.58 and specifically affects the Monitor_x86.sys driver component. This driver file operates at the kernel level and handles input/output control requests through the ioctl 0x9c402004 interface, creating a critical security gap that local attackers can exploit. The flaw represents a classic case of inadequate input validation within kernel-mode drivers, which falls under the CWE-20 category for weakness in the input validation process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the driver's failure to properly validate parameter values received through the specified ioctl command. When a local user submits malicious input to the Monitor_x86.sys driver via the 0x9c402004 ioctl code, the system does not perform sufficient checks on the data integrity or expected parameter ranges. This allows the driver to process potentially harmful input values that can cause the Windows kernel to crash, resulting in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) or other unspecified system instability. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it may potentially enable privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution depending on the specific input manipulation techniques employed by an attacker.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 11.0.1.58, as local users who can execute code on the system can leverage this flaw to disrupt normal operations. The attack vector requires local system access, making it less severe than remote exploitation vulnerabilities, but still poses a substantial threat in environments where privilege separation is not properly enforced. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation and can be categorized under the broader ATT&CK tactic of Privilege Escalation. Organizations using this software may experience unexpected system crashes, application instability, and potential data loss due to the BSOD conditions that can be triggered by this flaw.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9000 should prioritize immediate software updates from the vendor, as Advanced SystemCare Ultimate version 11.0.1.58 has been superseded by newer releases that address this specific driver validation issue. System administrators should implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and consider disabling unnecessary kernel drivers when possible. Additionally, monitoring for abnormal system crashes or BSOD events can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode components and serves as a reminder of the potential for local privilege escalation through driver flaws. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for suspicious ioctl activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts against similar kernel vulnerabilities.