CVE-2018-9048 in Windows Master
Summary
by MITRE
In Windows Master (aka Windows Optimization Master) 7.99.13.604, the driver file (WoptiHWDetect.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 0xf100282c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9048 affects Windows Master software version 7.99.13.604, specifically targeting the WoptiHWDetect.SYS driver component. This driver serves as a hardware detection utility within the optimization software suite, responsible for interacting with system hardware components and managing device communications. The flaw manifests in the driver's insufficient validation of input parameters received through IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, creating a critical security gap that can be exploited by local malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the driver's failure to properly validate input values associated with IOCTL code 0xf100282c. This specific IOCTL command represents a control interface that allows user-mode applications to communicate with the kernel-mode driver component. When malicious input data is passed through this interface without adequate validation, the driver processes malformed or unexpected parameters that can lead to system instability. The vulnerability specifically targets the driver's handling of user-supplied data structures, which are processed without proper bounds checking or parameter validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, potentially enabling more severe consequences including system crashes resulting in blue screen of death (BSOD) errors. Local users who can execute code with sufficient privileges can leverage this flaw to trigger kernel-level memory corruption, leading to system instability and complete system shutdown. The unspecified other impacts suggest potential for privilege escalation or information disclosure, though the exact scope of these additional consequences remains undetermined. This vulnerability essentially provides an attack surface that allows local adversaries to compromise system integrity and availability.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read categories, both of which represent fundamental software security weaknesses. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers Local Privilege Escalation, and T1490, covering Inhibit System Recovery, as it enables denial of service conditions that can prevent system operation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling or uninstalling the vulnerable software, applying available vendor patches, and monitoring system logs for signs of exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, though the local nature of this vulnerability means that any user with access to the system can potentially trigger the flaw.