CVE-2018-9003 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 0x9c402000.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9003 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 and interfaces with user-mode applications through Windows I/O control codes, making it a critical attack surface for privilege escalation and system stability compromise. The flaw manifests when the driver fails to properly validate input parameters received through IOCTL code 0x9c402000, creating a dangerous condition where malformed or malicious input can trigger unexpected behavior within the kernel space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the driver's control flow. When a user-mode application sends a request to the driver using the specified IOCTL code, the driver should perform thorough parameter validation before processing the request. However, the Monitor_x86.sys driver neglects to validate the input values, allowing arbitrary data to be passed directly into kernel memory operations. This oversight creates a potential for buffer overflows, memory corruption, or invalid memory access conditions that can lead to system instability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input ranges, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as demonstrated by the potential for unspecified other impacts. Local users with standard privileges can leverage this weakness to trigger a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) by sending carefully crafted input to the vulnerable driver. The system crash occurs because the driver's failure to validate input causes it to write to invalid memory addresses or manipulate kernel structures in unintended ways. Additionally, the unspecified other impacts suggest potential for more severe consequences including privilege escalation opportunities or information disclosure, though these have not been definitively confirmed. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how kernel-level driver flaws can be exploited to compromise system integrity and availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9003 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to a patched version of Advanced SystemCare Ultimate that properly validates all input parameters received through IOCTL communications. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual patterns of IOCTL usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a security architecture perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of kernel-mode input validation and adherence to secure coding practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and T1499, which addresses 'Endpoint Denial of Service'. Organizations should also consider implementing driver signature enforcement and kernel-mode protection mechanisms such as Windows Driver Verifier to detect and prevent similar issues in other kernel components. Regular security assessments of kernel-mode drivers and comprehensive input validation testing should be integrated into software development lifecycle processes to prevent such vulnerabilities from reaching production environments.