CVE-2020-9014 in iProjection
Summary
by MITRE • 02/06/2021
In Epson iProjection v2.30, the driver file (EMP_NSAU.sys) allows local users to cause a denial of service (BSOD) via crafted input to the virtual audio device driver with IOCTL 0x9C402402, 0x9C402406, or 0x9C40240A. \Device\EMPNSAUIO and \DosDevices\EMPNSAU are similarly affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9014 resides within the Epson iProjection v2.30 software suite, specifically targeting the EMP_NSAU.sys driver component that manages virtual audio device functionality. This flaw represents a critical local privilege escalation vulnerability that allows attackers with minimal system access to trigger a system crash resulting in a blue screen of death. The affected driver exposes three specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) commands at addresses 0x9C402402, 0x9C402406, and 0x9C40240A which can be exploited through crafted input data sent to the virtual audio device driver. The vulnerability affects the device objects \Device\EMPNSAUIO and \DosDevices\EMPNSAU, indicating a broader impact across the driver's I/O interface mechanisms.
This technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the kernel-mode driver component, where the EMP_NSAU.sys driver fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming IOCTL requests before processing them. The vulnerability manifests as a lack of proper bounds checking and parameter validation, allowing malicious input to corrupt kernel memory structures or trigger invalid memory access patterns. When the driver receives crafted IOCTL commands with malformed parameters, it executes code paths that lead to system instability and eventual kernel panic, resulting in the characteristic blue screen error. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses standard user-mode security controls and can affect the entire operating system stability.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9014 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks. Local attackers with basic user privileges can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt system operations and potentially escalate privileges through kernel exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects systems running Windows operating systems where the Epson iProjection software is installed, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the vulnerable driver remains loaded in memory. The attack surface is relatively narrow since exploitation requires local access to the system, but the impact is severe enough that any compromised system could experience complete service disruption. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor secure coding practices in driver development, as proper input validation and error handling should have been implemented to prevent such conditions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-9014 should focus on immediate driver updates from Epson to address the underlying vulnerability. System administrators should ensure that all Epson iProjection installations are updated to versions that contain patched driver components and proper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, Input Validation, and CWE-754, Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions, highlighting the need for robust validation of all external inputs. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1499, Endpoint Denial of Service, as it enables local users to cause system instability and potentially gain elevated privileges. Organizations should implement regular patch management procedures to prevent exploitation of such kernel-level vulnerabilities, and consider monitoring for unusual driver activity or system crashes that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, disabling unnecessary audio device drivers and restricting local user privileges can help reduce the attack surface for this particular vulnerability.