CVE-2024-12658 in Advanced SystemCare Utimate
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2024
A vulnerability was found in IObit Advanced SystemCare Utimate up to 17.0.0 and classified as problematic. This issue affects the function 0x8001E01C in the library AscRegistryFilter.sys of the component IOCTL Handler. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. Local access is required to approach this attack. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-12658 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within IObit Advanced SystemCare Ultimate version 17.0.0 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the AscRegistryFilter.sys kernel driver component, specifically within the IOCTL handler function 0x8001E01C. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the system registry filtering functionality that processes user-mode requests through kernel-mode interfaces. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions, making it a well-documented and dangerous class of software flaw that can lead to system instability and potential privilege escalation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires local system access, meaning an attacker must already have user-level privileges on the target system to leverage this flaw. This local privilege requirement significantly limits the attack surface compared to remote exploitation scenarios, but it does not eliminate the threat entirely. The null pointer dereference occurs when the AscRegistryFilter.sys driver receives malformed or unexpected input through the IOCTL interface, causing the system to attempt to access memory at address zero, which results in a system crash or potential code execution. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is currently known to be exploitable, indicating that threat actors have likely developed working exploit code for this specific flaw. This public disclosure status places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1068 technique for local privilege escalation and potentially T1059 for command execution through kernel-mode manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-12658 extends beyond simple system crashes, as the null pointer dereference can cause unpredictable behavior in the affected system. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability could allow a local attacker to achieve privilege escalation from user mode to kernel mode, potentially enabling full system compromise. The AscRegistryFilter.sys driver serves as a critical component in the registry filtering operations of Advanced SystemCare Ultimate, making this flaw particularly dangerous as it could allow attackers to manipulate system registry entries with elevated privileges. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts compounds the risk, as users remain unaware of the vulnerability's existence and potential exploitation methods, leaving systems exposed without official patches or mitigation guidance. This vulnerability affects systems running IObit Advanced SystemCare Ultimate versions up to 17.0.0 and likely impacts the broader Windows operating system ecosystem where kernel-mode drivers are improperly validated, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams managing multiple endpoints with outdated security software versions.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling the vulnerable AscRegistryFilter.sys driver component, applying available patches from IObit if released, and monitoring for suspicious registry modifications or system crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper kernel-mode input validation and error handling, as highlighted in industry standards such as the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards and NIST SP 800-144 guidelines for kernel driver security. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous registry filtering activities and potential null pointer dereference patterns in system logs, as these indicators may precede successful exploitation attempts. Given the public disclosure status and confirmed exploit availability, immediate action is recommended to prevent potential widespread compromise across systems running vulnerable versions of IObit Advanced SystemCare Ultimate.