CVE-2018-9042 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 0x9c402000.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9042 affects Advanced SystemCare Ultimate version 11.0.1.58 and resides within the kernel-mode driver component named Monitor_win10_x64.sys. This driver operates at the highest privilege level within the Windows operating system, making it a critical component that requires robust security controls. The flaw manifests through insufficient input validation mechanisms within the driver's handling of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, specifically targeting the control code 0x9c402000 which is used for communication between user-mode applications and kernel-mode drivers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the driver's failure to properly validate parameter values received through the specified IOCTL interface. When a local user application sends a crafted request to the driver using this particular control code, the driver processes the input without adequate sanitization or bounds checking. This lack of validation creates a potential attack surface where malicious inputs can cause the driver to execute unintended code paths or access invalid memory locations. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-129, Input Validation, and CWE-787, Out-of-bounds Write, as the driver's insufficient validation can lead to memory corruption scenarios. The impact of this flaw extends beyond simple denial of service, as the driver's improper handling of unvalidated inputs can potentially lead to system instability and arbitrary code execution within kernel space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for local users who can leverage it to either trigger a blue screen of death (BSOD) or potentially achieve more severe consequences depending on the nature of the malformed input. The BSOD occurrence represents a denial of service condition that disrupts system operations and requires manual intervention to restore normal functionality. However, the unspecified other impacts mentioned in the description suggest that this vulnerability may have additional security implications beyond simple system crashes. The kernel-mode execution context of the driver means that successful exploitation could potentially allow privilege escalation or system compromise, particularly if the input validation failures lead to memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it provides a mechanism for local users to manipulate system components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9042 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to a patched version of Advanced SystemCare Ultimate that addresses the input validation deficiencies in the Monitor_win10_x64.sys driver. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual IOCTL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper kernel-mode driver security practices including comprehensive input validation, proper memory management, and adherence to secure coding guidelines. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of potentially malicious applications that might attempt to interact with vulnerable drivers. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, ensuring that driver components operate with minimal required permissions. Regular security assessments of kernel-mode components and comprehensive testing of driver interfaces are essential practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.