CVE-2024-12662 in Advanced SystemCare Utimate
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2024
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in IObit Advanced SystemCare Utimate up to 17.0.0. This affects the function 0x8001E040 in the library AscRegistryFilter.sys of the component IOCTL Handler. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. An attack has to be approached locally. 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
This vulnerability exists within IObit Advanced SystemCare Ultimate version 17.0.0 and earlier, specifically targeting the AscRegistryFilter.sys kernel-mode driver component. The flaw manifests in the IOCTL handler function identified as 0x8001E040, which processes registry-related operations through the Windows kernel interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the driver's handling of registry filter operations, creating a condition where a null pointer dereference can occur when processing malformed or unexpected registry requests. This particular vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation vector since exploitation requires physical access to the target system or administrative privileges to execute malicious code. The null pointer dereference condition represents a critical failure in the driver's error handling mechanisms, as it fails to properly validate pointer references before attempting to access memory locations. The vulnerability's impact is significant as it can potentially allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, bypassing standard operating system security controls. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-476 which describes NULL Pointer Dereference, a well-known weakness that can lead to system instability and privilege escalation. The attack surface is limited to local execution since the vulnerability requires direct interaction with the kernel driver through IOCTL calls, making it unsuitable for network-based exploitation. The disclosure of this exploit has created a significant security risk for users running vulnerable versions of the software, as it provides a clear pathway for privilege escalation attacks. The fact that the vendor did not respond to early disclosure attempts compounds the security risk, leaving users without official patches or mitigations. The vulnerability's exploitation involves sending crafted IOCTL requests to the AscRegistryFilter.sys driver, which then processes these requests without proper null pointer validation. This allows attackers to trigger a kernel crash or potentially gain elevated privileges through controlled memory access patterns. The lack of vendor response creates a window of opportunity for threat actors to develop and deploy exploits without waiting for official patches. The vulnerability's technical nature suggests it may be exploitable through a variety of attack vectors including driver manipulation, registry modification, or direct memory access techniques. The use of the Windows kernel's IOCTL interface makes this particularly concerning as it operates at the highest privilege level within the operating system. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability can be exploited through local privilege escalation attacks, potentially allowing attackers to bypass Windows kernel security features such as kernel address space layout randomization. The vulnerability's classification as a null pointer dereference places it within the realm of memory safety issues that are commonly exploited in kernel-mode attacks. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated privileges or where the software is deployed with administrative rights. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple system instability, as it can potentially allow attackers to install rootkits, modify system files, or access sensitive data through kernel-level access. The public disclosure of this exploit without vendor response creates an immediate threat to users who have not yet updated to patched versions of the software. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of timely vendor response to security disclosures and the risks associated with software supply chain attacks. The lack of official patches leaves users exposed to potential exploitation by threat actors who may have already developed working exploits. Security professionals should prioritize patching this vulnerability as a high-priority remediation step, particularly in environments where the software is deployed with elevated privileges or where local access controls may be insufficient. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes Local Privilege Escalation, making it a direct threat to system integrity and user security. Organizations should implement immediate monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activity and consider disabling the vulnerable driver component until official patches are available. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for proper input validation in kernel-mode drivers and demonstrates how seemingly minor validation flaws can lead to severe security consequences.