CVE-2024-1853 in AntiLogger
Summary
by MITRE • 03/15/2024
Zemana AntiLogger v2.74.204.664 is vulnerable to an Arbitrary Process Termination vulnerability by triggering the 0x80002048 IOCTL code of the zam64.sys and zamguard64.sys drivers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1853 affects Zemana AntiLogger version 2.74.204.664 and represents a critical security flaw in the kernel-mode driver components of the software. This issue stems from improper input validation within the zam64.sys and zamguard64.sys driver modules, which are responsible for providing anti-logging and anti-keylogging protection. The vulnerability manifests through the exploitation of the 0x80002048 IOCTL (Input/Output Control) code, which allows unauthorized processes to terminate running applications without proper authorization or validation. This arbitrary process termination capability directly violates fundamental security principles and creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to disrupt system operations or evade security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the kernel-mode drivers that operate with elevated privileges, typically requiring administrator or SYSTEM level access to function. When the 0x80002048 IOCTL code is invoked, the drivers fail to properly validate the input parameters or verify the calling process's privileges before executing the termination command. This lack of proper access control validation creates a path for privilege escalation and unauthorized process manipulation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level, where malicious code can leverage this flaw to terminate critical system processes, security software, or legitimate applications. This behavior aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all system operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system integrity and security posture. Attackers could exploit this flaw to terminate security software such as antivirus programs, endpoint protection solutions, or other monitoring tools, effectively creating a sandbox escape scenario. The arbitrary termination capability could be used to disable security measures, disrupt forensic analysis, or create cover for other malicious activities. The impact extends beyond simple process termination as it could enable more sophisticated attacks including process injection, privilege escalation, or even complete system compromise. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often serve as initial access points for more complex attack chains, where the ability to terminate processes provides attackers with additional control over system resources. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1566 (Phishing) where process termination could be used to disable security controls during attack execution.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through official software updates provided by Zemana, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific flaw. System administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor for unusual process termination events that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the principle of defense in depth should be applied by implementing application whitelisting policies, monitoring kernel-mode driver activity, and ensuring that only authorized processes can communicate with these vulnerable drivers. Organizations should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous termination patterns and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper kernel-mode driver security and the need for rigorous input validation and privilege checking in system-level components that operate with elevated privileges.