Improper Address Validation in IOCTL with METHOD_NEITHER I/O Control Code
Draft Variant
Structure: Simple
Description
The product defines an IOCTL that uses METHOD_NEITHER for I/O, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates the addresses that are provided.
When an IOCTL uses the METHOD_NEITHER option for I/O control, it is the responsibility of the IOCTL to validate the addresses that have been supplied to it. If validation is missing or incorrect, attackers can supply arbitrary memory addresses, leading to code execution or a denial of service.
Common Consequences 1
Scope: IntegrityAvailabilityConfidentiality
Impact: Modify MemoryRead MemoryExecute Unauthorized Code or CommandsDoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
An attacker may be able to access memory that belongs to another process or user. If the attacker can control the contents that the IOCTL writes, it may lead to code execution at high privilege levels. At the least, a crash can occur.
Potential Mitigations 3
Phase: Implementation
If METHOD_NEITHER is required for the IOCTL, then ensure that all user-space addresses are properly validated before they are first accessed. The ProbeForRead and ProbeForWrite routines are available for this task. Also properly protect and manage the user-supplied buffers, since the I/O Manager does not do this when METHOD_NEITHER is being used. See References.
Phase: Architecture and Design
If possible, avoid using METHOD_NEITHER in the IOCTL and select methods that effectively control the buffer size, such as METHOD_BUFFERED, METHOD_IN_DIRECT, or METHOD_OUT_DIRECT.
Phase: Architecture and DesignImplementation
If the IOCTL is part of a driver that is only intended to be accessed by trusted users, then use proper access control for the associated device or device namespace. See References.
Observed Examples 5
CVE-2006-2373Driver for file-sharing and messaging protocol allows attackers to execute arbitrary code.
CVE-2009-0686Anti-virus product does not validate addresses, allowing attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges.
CVE-2009-0824DVD software allows attackers to cause a crash.
CVE-2008-5724Personal firewall allows attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges.
CVE-2007-5756chain: device driver for packet-capturing software allows access to an unintended IOCTL with resultant array index error.
References 7
Exploiting Common Flaws in Drivers
Ruben Santamarta
11-07-2007
ID: REF-696
Remote and Local Exploitation of Network Drivers
Yuriy Bulygin
01-08-2007
ID: REF-697
Windows driver vulnerabilities: the METHOD_NEITHER odyssey
Anibal Sacco
10-2008
ID: REF-698
Buffer Descriptions for I/O Control Codes
Microsoft
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/kernel/buffer-descriptions-for-i-o-control-codes(2023-04-07)
ID: REF-699
Using Neither Buffered Nor Direct I/O
Microsoft
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/kernel/using-neither-buffered-nor-direct-i-o(2023-04-07)
ID: REF-700
Securing Device Objects
Microsoft
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/kernel/controlling-device-access(2023-04-07)
ID: REF-701
Exploiting Windows Device Drivers
Piotr Bania
https://www.piotrbania.com/all/articles/ewdd.pdf(2023-04-07)
ID: REF-702
Applicable Platforms
Languages:
C : OftenC++ : Often
Modes of Introduction
Implementation
Related Weaknesses
Notes
Applicable Platform
Because IOCTL functionality is typically performing low-level actions and closely interacts with the operating system, this weakness may only appear in code that is written in low-level languages.
Research Gap
While this type of issue has been known since 2006, it is probably still under-studied and under-reported. Most of the focus has been on high-profile software and security products, but other kinds of system software also use drivers. Since exploitation requires the development of custom code, it requires some skill to find this weakness.
Because exploitation typically requires local privileges, it might not be a priority for active attackers. However, remote exploitation may be possible for software such as device drivers. Even when remote vectors are not available, it may be useful as the final privilege-escalation step in multi-stage remote attacks against application-layer software, or as the primary attack by a local user on a multi-user system.