CVE-2018-5081 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

K7 AntiVirus 15.1.0306 is vulnerable to a denial of service attack due to a lack of input value validation, potentially leading to system crashes or other undisclosed consequences.

Understanding CVE-2018-5081

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the driver file (K7FWHlpr.sys) of K7 AntiVirus 15.1.0306 that can be exploited by local users.

What is CVE-2018-5081?

The vulnerability in K7 AntiVirus 15.1.0306 allows local users to trigger a denial of service (BSOD) or other unspecified impacts by exploiting the absence of input value validation from IOCtl 0x830020F0.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5081

The vulnerability can result in system crashes (BSOD) or potentially lead to other adverse effects due to the lack of input validation, providing an opportunity for local users to disrupt system operations.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5081

K7 AntiVirus 15.1.0306 is affected by the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

The driver file (K7FWHlpr.sys) in K7 AntiVirus 15.1.0306 lacks input value validation from IOCtl 0x830020F0, enabling local users to exploit this weakness.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: K7 AntiVirus 15.1.0306
Vendor: K7
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Local users can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating input values from IOCtl 0x830020F0, leading to denial of service attacks or other potential consequences.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-5081 in K7 AntiVirus 15.1.0306, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update K7 AntiVirus to the latest version that includes a patch for this vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activities that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access and minimize the impact of potential attacks.
Regularly educate users on safe computing practices to prevent unauthorized system access.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by K7 to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.