CVE-2018-9005 in Advanced SystemCare Ultimate
Summary
by MITRE
In Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 11.0.1.58, the driver file (Monitor_win7_x64.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 0x9c4060d0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9005 resides within Advanced SystemCare Ultimate version 11.0.1.58 and specifically targets the Monitor_win7_x64.sys driver component. This driver file operates at kernel level within the Windows operating system, making it a critical component that requires robust input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests through improper validation of input parameters received via the IOCTL 0x9c4060d0 control code, which represents a direct interface between user-mode applications and kernel-mode driver components. The absence of proper input sanitization creates a dangerous attack surface where malicious or malformed input can cause unpredictable behavior within the driver's execution context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the driver's failure to validate data received through the specified IOCTL interface. When a local user submits crafted input parameters to the Monitor_win7_x64.sys driver through IOCTL 0x9c4060d0, the driver processes these inputs without adequate verification mechanisms. This lack of validation creates potential for buffer overflows, invalid memory access patterns, or other memory corruption conditions that can destabilize the operating system kernel. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-129 as an "Improper Validation of Array Index" or similar input validation weaknesses, where the driver fails to verify that input parameters fall within acceptable ranges or meet expected data formats. The operational impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the kernel-level nature of the driver means that any memory corruption can potentially lead to system instability or even privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are significant for local attackers who can leverage the driver's lack of input validation to trigger system crashes. The most immediate impact involves a blue screen of death (BSOD) condition that renders the affected system unusable until a reboot occurs. This denial of service scenario represents a serious operational risk in enterprise environments where system availability is paramount. Additionally, the unspecified other impacts suggest potential for more severe consequences including privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution within the kernel context. The vulnerability's presence in a system optimization tool like Advanced SystemCare Ultimate is particularly concerning as these tools often run with elevated privileges, potentially providing attackers with additional attack vectors beyond simple system disruption. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through kernel-mode exploitation, where the vulnerability allows local users to gain elevated system privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9005 should focus on immediate remediation through official vendor patches and updates. System administrators should prioritize updating to the latest version of Advanced SystemCare Ultimate where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation mechanisms. The implementation of input validation checks within the driver's IOCTL handling routines represents the primary defensive measure, ensuring that all data received through IOCTL 0x9c4060d0 is thoroughly sanitized before processing. Additionally, system hardening measures including driver signature enforcement, secure boot configurations, and regular security audits should be implemented to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of local exploitation, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual driver behavior or BSOD events that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of potentially vulnerable software components and maintain comprehensive system monitoring to detect unauthorized driver modifications or installations.