CVE-2017-15921 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2017-15921 affecting Watchdog Anti-Malware & Online Security Pro. Understand the vulnerability, its impact, affected versions, and mitigation steps.
Watchdog Anti-Malware and Online Security Pro are affected by a vulnerability in the zam32.sys driver, leading to a NULL pointer dereference when a specific operation is sent. Lack of input buffer validation allows for exploitation.
Understanding CVE-2017-15921
This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in the Watchdog Anti-Malware and Online Security Pro software.
What is CVE-2017-15921?
The vulnerability in the zam32.sys driver of Watchdog Anti-Malware and Online Security Pro occurs due to a NULL pointer dereference triggered by an operation sent to ioctl 0x80002010. The issue stems from the lack of validation for the input buffer, which can be NULL or have a size of 0.
The Impact of CVE-2017-15921
The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service or potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-15921
This section provides more technical insights into the CVE-2017-15921 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in the zam32.sys driver allows for a NULL pointer dereference when specific operations are sent, leading to a potential security risk.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Watchdog Anti-Malware 2.74.186.150
- Online Security Pro 2.74.186.150
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability is exploited by sending a particular operation to ioctl 0x80002010, taking advantage of the lack of input buffer validation.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2017-15921 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply security patches provided by the software vendor promptly.
- Consider disabling the affected software until a patch is available.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Implement network security measures to detect and block potential exploitation attempts.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that the software is updated to a version that addresses the vulnerability to mitigate the risk of exploitation.