CVE-2023-1638 in Malware Fighter
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2023
A vulnerability was found in IObit Malware Fighter 9.4.0.776. It has been rated as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function 0x8001E024/0x8001E040 in the library ImfRegistryFilter.sys of the component IOCTL Handler. The manipulation leads to denial of service. Attacking locally is a requirement. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-224018 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1638 represents a critical denial of service flaw within IObit Malware Fighter version 9.4.0.776, specifically targeting the ImfRegistryFilter.sys kernel driver component. This issue manifests through the manipulation of function identifiers 0x8001E024 and 0x8001E040 within the IOCTL handler mechanism, creating a pathway for local privilege escalation and system instability. The vulnerability's classification as problematic reflects its potential to disrupt system operations and compromise the integrity of the security software itself. The affected kernel driver component serves as a critical interface for registry filtering operations, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through local manipulation of the IOCTL handler functions within the ImfRegistryFilter.sys driver, which operates at kernel level and maintains privileged access to system resources. When an attacker successfully triggers the vulnerable functions, the driver fails to properly validate input parameters or handle malformed requests, resulting in system crashes or complete denial of service conditions. This particular flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow or improper input validation issue within kernel-mode drivers, where the lack of proper bounds checking allows malicious input to corrupt system memory or trigger unexpected behavior. The vulnerability's public disclosure through VDB-224018 indicates that exploitation techniques have been made available to malicious actors, significantly increasing the risk profile for affected systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1638 extends beyond simple system instability, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems running vulnerable versions of IObit Malware Fighter. Local attackers can leverage this vulnerability to cause system crashes, forcing users to reboot their machines and potentially disrupting legitimate security operations. This creates a dangerous scenario where the very security software designed to protect against malware becomes a vector for system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access, which may seem limiting, but local attackers often have elevated privileges or can achieve initial compromise through other means, making this a particularly concerning flaw in endpoint security software. The flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a failure in proper input validation within kernel-mode components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, where adversaries can leverage local access to cause system instability and potentially gain further access to sensitive system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1638 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for endpoint protection. The primary recommendation involves updating to the latest version of IObit Malware Fighter where the vulnerability has been patched, as this represents the most effective solution to address the root cause. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as kernel-mode driver whitelisting, monitoring for unusual IOCTL activity, and maintaining up-to-date system patch management procedures. The vulnerability's nature as a local denial of service makes it particularly important to monitor for unauthorized local access attempts and implement strict access controls on systems running vulnerable software. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous IOCTL handler activity and potential exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include verification of driver integrity and proper input validation mechanisms within security software components. Given the public disclosure status of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patch deployment and consider implementing compensating controls such as network segmentation and restricted local access policies to minimize the attack surface.