CVE-2023-1631 in JiangMin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in JiangMin Antivirus 16.2.2022.418. This affects the function 0x222010 in the library kvcore.sys of the component IOCTL Handler. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. Attacking locally is a requirement. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-224013 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2023
This vulnerability resides within JiangMin Antivirus version 16.2.2022.418 and specifically targets the kvcore.sys kernel driver component. The flaw manifests in the IOCTL handler functionality at function address 0x222010, representing a critical security weakness that could compromise system integrity. The vulnerability type is classified as a null pointer dereference, which occurs when the system attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly initialized or validated. This particular weakness exists within the kernel-level driver interface, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the most privileged system level where malicious code can gain extensive control over system operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a local attack vector requiring physical access or user-level privileges to execute malicious code against the vulnerable kernel driver. When the IOCTL handler processes specific input parameters, it fails to properly validate pointer references before attempting to dereference them, creating an exploitable condition. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference issues in software implementations. The vulnerability's classification as a local attack requirement indicates that exploitation cannot occur remotely but requires either physical access to the target system or the ability to execute code in the context of a legitimate user session, making it a privilege escalation vector rather than a remote code execution threat.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it represents a potential path for privilege escalation attacks that could allow malicious actors to gain elevated system privileges. The null pointer dereference condition could potentially lead to system crashes, denial of service conditions, or more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution in kernel space. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could leverage it to bypass security controls implemented by the antivirus software itself, potentially enabling them to execute malicious code with system-level privileges. This creates a particularly concerning scenario where the very security software designed to protect the system becomes a potential attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest version of JiangMin Antivirus that addresses this specific kernel driver flaw, as the vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is considered exploitable. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity and consider disabling unnecessary driver interfaces to reduce attack surface. The vulnerability's presence in the IOCTL handler component suggests that standard antivirus protection may be insufficient, requiring additional security layers such as kernel-mode code integrity checks and privilege separation mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and kernel exploitation, specifically targeting the system's foundational security controls that protect against such attacks.