iDefense Security Advisory 05.12.08: Microsoft Windows I2O Filter Utility Driver (i2omgmt.sys) Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
iDefense Security Advisory 05.12.08
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
May 12, 2008
I. BACKGROUND
Intelligent Input/Output (I2O) is a defunct computer input/output (I/O)
specification. i2omgmt.sys is a Windows driver for the I2O Utility
Filter. For more background information about I2O, see following
website.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I2O
II. DESCRIPTION
Local exploitation of an input validation vulnerability within version
5.1.2600.2180 of i2omgmt.sys, as included with Microsoft Corp's Windows
XP operating system, could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code
in the context of the kernel.
This vulnerability specifically exists due to insecure permissions on
the \\.\I2OExc device interface. The permissions on this device allow
"Everyone" write access. This could allow a locally logged-in user to
access functionality designed for privileged use only.
Additionally, the IOCTL handlers for this device interface do not
properly validate user-mode buffer passed to them, so an attacker can
supply a fake DeviceObject pointer to a user-mode address. As such, it
is possible to overwrite arbitrary memory or execute attacker-supplied
code in the context of the kernel.
III. ANALYSIS
Exploitation allows an attacker to elevate privileges by overwriting
arbitrary system memory or executing code within kernel context. An
attacker needs to log-in to the target machine to exploit this
vulnerability.
This driver is related to I2O protocol and RAID devices. It is not
present by default on every Windows installation. However, iDefense
found this driver loaded on several systems we tested.
IV. DETECTION
iDefense has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in
i2omgmt.sys version 5.1.2600.2180 as installed on some Windows XP SP2
systems. All other Windows releases with this driver, including
previous versions, are suspected to be vulnerable.
V. WORKAROUND
Removing write permissions for "Everyone" appears to prevent access to
the vulnerable code. Although no side effects were witnessed in lab
tests, normal functionality may be hindered.
VI. VENDOR RESPONSE
Microsoft has addressed this issue within Windows XP Service Pack 3. To
obtain Microsoft XP Service Pack 3, visit the following URL.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4
VII. CVE INFORMATION
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CVE-2008-0322 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for
security problems.
VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
03/20/2007 Initial vendor notification
03/20/2007 Initial vendor response
05/12/2008 Coordinated public disclosure
IX. CREDIT
This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by Rubén Santamarta of
reversemode.com.
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X. LEGAL NOTICES
Copyright © 2008 iDefense, Inc.
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