CVE-2018-9333 in K7AntiVirus Premium
Summary
by MITRE • 01/12/2021
K7Computing Pvt Ltd K7AntiVirus Premium 15.1.0.53 is affected by: Buffer Overflow. The impact is: execute arbitrary code (local). The component is: K7TSMngr.exe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9333 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within K7Computing Pvt Ltd's K7AntiVirus Premium version 15.1.0.53. This security weakness manifests in the K7TSMngr.exe component which serves as a core system management module for the antivirus software. The buffer overflow occurs when the application fails to properly validate input data before processing it within fixed-size memory buffers, creating opportunities for malicious code injection. This particular vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw exists in the local execution context, meaning that an attacker must already have access to the system to exploit this vulnerability, typically through user interaction or privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this buffer overflow vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to potentially enable full system compromise. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the K7TSMngr.exe process, which typically runs with elevated permissions due to its system management functions. This creates a significant attack surface that could allow adversaries to escalate privileges, install persistent backdoors, or manipulate system configurations. The vulnerability's local nature means that exploitation requires physical access to the target system or the ability to execute code within the user context, but once achieved, the consequences can be severe for endpoint security. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the executed code could leverage various system interfaces to establish persistence or exfiltrate data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires careful crafting of input data that exceeds the allocated buffer size in K7TSMngr.exe, causing stack corruption that can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow. Attackers typically employ techniques such as return-oriented programming or direct code injection to achieve their objectives. The specific memory layout and stack organization within the K7TSMngr.exe process would need to be analyzed to determine the precise offset required to overwrite the return address or other critical program variables. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in endpoint protection software because the target application often runs with elevated privileges and has extensive system access capabilities. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in other antivirus solutions where management services contain buffer overflow vulnerabilities that can be exploited to bypass security controls and establish persistent access to infected systems. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of this vulnerability as it represents a significant risk to endpoint security infrastructure, particularly in enterprise environments where antivirus software typically operates with administrative privileges and controls critical system functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9333 should include immediate deployment of vendor-provided patches or updates that address the buffer overflow condition in K7TSMngr.exe. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of malicious payloads and monitor for suspicious process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation does occur. Regular security assessments should verify that the patched version is properly installed and that no residual vulnerabilities remain in the system. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in security software, particularly in components that handle user input or system management functions, as these areas often represent high-value targets for attackers seeking to compromise endpoint protection mechanisms.