CVE-2018-9041 in Advanced SystemCare Ultimate
Summary
by MITRE
In Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 11.0.1.58, the driver file (Monitor_win10_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 0x9c402004.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9041 affects Advanced SystemCare Ultimate version 11.0.1.58 and resides within the kernel-mode driver component Monitor_win10_x64.sys. This driver operates at the highest privilege level within the Windows operating system, making it a critical component for system security and stability. The flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the driver's implementation of IOCTL 0x9c402004, which represents a specific device control code used for communication between user-mode applications and kernel-mode drivers. The absence of proper validation allows malicious or unintended input data to be processed without adequate sanitization, creating a pathway for exploitation that can compromise system integrity and availability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-129, Input Validation, and potentially CWE-131, Incorrect Calculation of Buffer Size, as the driver fails to validate the size and content of data structures passed through the IOCTL interface. This weakness enables attackers to craft specific input parameters that can trigger unpredictable behavior within the driver's memory management routines. When the driver processes malformed input data through the vulnerable IOCTL, it can lead to memory corruption that ultimately results in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) or system crash. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the unspecified other impacts could include privilege escalation opportunities or further system instability that might allow for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for system administrators and end users who rely on Advanced SystemCare Ultimate for system optimization and maintenance. Local users with standard privileges can leverage this flaw to cause system-wide disruptions through deliberate BSOD events, effectively creating a persistent denial of service condition that undermines system reliability and user productivity. The vulnerability's accessibility through local execution means that any user with access to the system can potentially exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or shared computing scenarios. The kernel-mode execution context of the driver means that exploitation can occur without requiring elevated privileges beyond normal user access, as the driver itself operates with high privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through official vendor updates and patches, as the flaw exists in the driver's input validation mechanisms. System administrators should implement monitoring for unusual BSOD patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that all system components remain updated with the latest security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper kernel-mode driver security practices and input validation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the potential for privilege escalation exists through memory corruption. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized driver components and maintain comprehensive system monitoring to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.