CVE-2022-25477 in RtsPer Driver for PCIe Card Reader
Summary
by MITRE • 07/02/2024
Vulnerability in Realtek RtsPer driver for PCIe Card Reader (RtsPer.sys) before 10.0.22000.21355 and Realtek RtsUer driver for USB Card Reader (RtsUer.sys) before 10.0.22000.31274 leaks driver logs that contain addresses of kernel mode objects, weakening KASLR.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25477 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting Realtek PCIe and USB card reader drivers within Windows operating systems. This weakness manifests in the RtsPer.sys and RtsUer.sys kernel-mode drivers that are responsible for managing card reader hardware functionality. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to 10.0.22000.21355 for the PCIe driver and 10.0.22000.31274 for the USB driver, creating a persistent security risk across numerous Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations. The flaw stems from improper handling of driver logging mechanisms that inadvertently expose kernel memory addresses through log output.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the driver's logging subsystem which fails to sanitize memory addresses before writing them to kernel logs. When the Realtek drivers process card reader operations, they generate log entries that contain kernel object addresses, including base addresses of driver modules, kernel structures, and other sensitive memory locations. These addresses are typically masked or obfuscated in normal operation, but due to the flawed logging implementation, they become directly visible in the driver logs. This behavior directly undermines the operating system's kernel address space layout randomization defense mechanism, which is designed to prevent attackers from easily determining the memory layout of running kernel processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with crucial information needed for advanced exploitation techniques. By obtaining kernel memory addresses from the leaked logs, threat actors can bypass KASLR protections that are fundamental to modern Windows security architecture. This information allows for more precise exploitation of subsequent vulnerabilities through techniques such as kernel pointer arithmetic, direct kernel object manipulation, and bypassing exploit mitigations like ASLR. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to perform more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, kernel code execution, and system compromise that would otherwise be significantly more difficult to achieve. The leaked addresses essentially provide a map of the kernel's memory layout, making the system's defenses considerably weaker.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) within the MITRE ATT&CK matrix. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the driver security model that affects the integrity of the Windows kernel security architecture. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it fundamentally weakens the security posture of affected systems. The remediation process requires updating the Realtek drivers to versions 10.0.22000.21355 or later for PCIe drivers and 10.0.22000.31274 or later for USB drivers, which contain fixes that properly sanitize log output and prevent kernel address leakage. Security teams should also monitor system logs for any unusual logging activity that might indicate exploitation attempts and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability through crafted card reader operations or driver interactions.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate exploitation potential, as it demonstrates the importance of proper driver security practices in maintaining system integrity. Kernel drivers represent privileged execution environments where security flaws can have catastrophic consequences, making comprehensive driver security auditing essential for enterprise environments. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring for driver-related log entries and establishing baseline behaviors for legitimate driver operations to detect anomalous patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the need for robust driver signing and verification processes to ensure that only properly tested and secure driver versions are deployed in production environments.