CVE-2024-8159 in DeepFreeze
Summary
by MITRE • 10/03/2024
Deep Freeze 9.00.020.5760 is vulnerable to an out-of-bounds read vulnerability by triggering the 0x70014 IOCTL code of the FarDisk.sys driver.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8159 affects Deep Freeze version 9.00.020.5760 and represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within the FarDisk.sys kernel driver. This issue manifests when the system processes a specific IOCTL code 0x70014, which is part of the driver's interface for handling disk operations and system management functions. The flaw exists in the kernel-level component that manages disk virtualization and system freeze capabilities, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the FarDisk.sys driver's handling of the 0x70014 IOCTL command. When an attacker or malicious process submits crafted parameters to this interface, the driver fails to properly bounds-check the data before processing, allowing an out-of-bounds memory read operation to occur. This condition can result in information disclosure, system instability, or potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the memory locations accessed. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-129, which describes improper validation of the length of input data, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write operations that can be extended to read scenarios.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems running Deep Freeze 9.00.020.5760, particularly in enterprise environments where the software is used for system protection and recovery. The out-of-bounds read could potentially expose sensitive kernel memory contents, including encryption keys, authentication tokens, or system configuration data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into system internals, potentially facilitating privilege escalation or further exploitation. The impact is amplified in environments where Deep Freeze is configured with elevated privileges, as the kernel driver would operate with high-privilege access to system resources.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends to any system that utilizes the FarDisk.sys driver for disk management functions and is vulnerable to IOCTL-based attacks. The exploitation requires minimal privileges to trigger the vulnerable code path, making it particularly concerning for environments where user-level processes might have access to the driver interface. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and T1566, which addresses the use of valid accounts to access system resources. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within protected environments.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of Deep Freeze to the latest version that addresses this specific out-of-bounds read condition. System administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity targeting the FarDisk.sys driver, particularly around the 0x70014 command code. Additional protective measures include restricting access to the driver interface through proper access control lists, implementing kernel-mode driver signing requirements, and conducting regular security assessments of kernel-level components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting thorough security reviews of kernel drivers, especially those with broad system access capabilities that are critical for system protection functions.