CVE-2019-8372 in Device Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The LHA.sys driver before 1.1.1811.2101 in LG Device Manager exposes functionality that allows low-privileged users to read and write arbitrary physical memory via specially crafted IOCTL requests and elevate system privileges. This occurs because the device object has an associated symbolic link and an open DACL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-8372 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the LHA.sys driver component of LG Device Manager software. This driver serves as a bridge between the operating system and hardware devices, specifically designed to manage LG device functionalities. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the driver's implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's memory management capabilities. The issue affects versions prior to 1.1.1811.2101, indicating that this was a known flaw that required specific patching to remediate the security weakness.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through specially crafted IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests that leverage the driver's exposed functionality. When a low-privileged user submits these crafted requests, the driver fails to properly validate the input parameters, allowing unauthorized access to physical memory addresses. This flaw specifically manifests through the device object's symbolic link and its associated open DACL (Discretionary Access Control List). The open DACL permissions permit any user to access the device without proper authentication, effectively bypassing standard security boundaries that should restrict access to kernel-level resources. This configuration creates a direct pathway for arbitrary memory read and write operations that can be leveraged for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables complete system compromise through privilege escalation. An attacker with low-privileged user access can utilize this vulnerability to gain kernel-level privileges, effectively taking control of the entire system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms. The ability to read and write arbitrary physical memory allows for sophisticated attacks including kernel memory manipulation, driver loading of malicious code, and complete system takeover. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how improper device driver security can lead to catastrophic system compromise, as it directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8372 must address both the immediate patching requirements and the underlying architectural issues. The primary recommendation involves updating to LG Device Manager version 1.1.1811.2101 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to properly implement access controls. Organizations should also implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar issues in other device drivers and system components. Security professionals should consider implementing runtime protections such as kernel patch protection and device driver whitelisting to prevent exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and specifically relates to T1068 (Local Port Forwarding) and T1055 (Process Injection) tactics. System administrators should also conduct thorough security audits of all installed device drivers to identify similar access control weaknesses that could be exploited in similar manners. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper driver security implementation and the need for regular security assessments of system components that operate with elevated privileges.