CVE-2017-16549 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2017-16549, a vulnerability in K7 Antivirus Premium allowing local users to gain elevated privileges by exploiting specific IOCTL calls. Find out how to mitigate and prevent this security risk.
K7 Antivirus Premium before version 15.1.0.53 allows local users to gain elevated privileges by exploiting specific IOCTL calls.
Understanding CVE-2017-16549
What is CVE-2017-16549?
Local users can exploit a specific set of IOCTL calls in K7 Antivirus Premium versions preceding 15.1.0.53 to gain elevated privileges by writing to unrestricted memory locations.
The Impact of CVE-2017-16549
This vulnerability allows attackers with local access to the system to escalate their privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and compromise of the affected system.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-16549
Vulnerability Description
K7 Antivirus Premium before 15.1.0.53 allows local users to write to arbitrary memory locations, enabling them to gain privileges via specific IOCTL calls.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: K7 Antivirus Premium
- Versions Affected: Preceding 15.1.0.53
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by executing specific IOCTL calls, allowing them to write to unrestricted memory locations and elevate their privileges.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update K7 Antivirus Premium to version 15.1.0.53 or later to mitigate this vulnerability.
- Restrict local user access to critical system components to minimize the risk of exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access rights.
- Regularly monitor and audit system activity to detect any unauthorized actions.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security updates and patches released by K7 Computing to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2017-16549.