CVE-2018-18535 : What You Need to Know

ASUS Aura Sync version 1.07.22 and earlier versions contain a vulnerability that allows unauthorized execution of code at ring-0 level.

Understanding CVE-2018-18535

ASUS Aura Sync software is Duar Sync version 1.07.22 and earlier versions are affected by a vulnerability that could lead to unauthorized code execution at ring-0 level.

What is CVE-2018-18535?

The vulnerability in ASUS Aura Sync software allows the low-level driver Asusgio to access and modify Machine Specific Registers (MSRs), potentially enabling the execution of unauthorized ring-0 code.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18535

Exploiting this vulnerability could result in an attacker executing arbitrary code at the highest privilege level (ring-0) on the affected system, leading to complete control over the device.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18535

ASUS Aura Sync version 1.07.22 and earlier versions are susceptible to unauthorized code execution due to a flaw in the Asusgio low-level driver.

Vulnerability Description

The Asusgio driver in ASUS Aura Sync exposes functionality to read and write Machine Specific Registers (MSRs), which can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code at ring-0 level.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ASUS Aura Sync
Vendor: ASUS
Versions affected: 1.07.22 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the Asusgio driver to access and modify Machine Specific Registers, enabling the execution of unauthorized code at the highest privilege level.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-18535, users and organizations should take immediate and long-term security measures to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ASUS Aura Sync software to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor for any suspicious activities on the system that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all software and drivers to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Implement strong access controls and least privilege principles to limit the impact of potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

ASUS has likely released patches to address the vulnerability in newer versions of Aura Sync. Ensure timely installation of these updates to protect systems from exploitation.