CVE-2024-23440 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting VirusBlokAda's Vba32 Antivirus version 3.36.0. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read, which allows an attacker to read arbitrary memory locations. Specifically, the flaw exists in the Vba32m64.sys driver component of the antivirus software, where the IOCTL code 0x22200B permits reading up to 0x802 bytes of memory from an arbitrary user-supplied pointer. This means that a local attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) can exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive kernel memory without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The attack vector is local (AV:L), indicating that the attacker must have some level of access to the system to trigger the vulnerability. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (C:H) and availability (A:H) but does not affect integrity (I:N). The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1, reflecting its high severity. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability suggests that it could be leveraged for information disclosure, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further attacks. The absence of a patch link indicates that a fix may not yet be publicly available, increasing the urgency for affected users to apply mitigations or monitor for updates. This vulnerability is significant because antivirus software operates with high privileges and direct access to system internals, making any flaw in its kernel drivers particularly dangerous. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could read sensitive data from kernel memory, which might include cryptographic keys, passwords, or other protected information, thereby compromising system confidentiality and stability.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-23440 can be substantial, especially for those relying on Vba32 Antivirus 3.36.0 for endpoint protection. The ability to read arbitrary kernel memory can lead to exposure of sensitive information, including credentials and security tokens, which can facilitate lateral movement or privilege escalation within corporate networks. This undermines the trust in the antivirus solution and may lead to broader security breaches. Additionally, the vulnerability affects system availability, potentially causing system instability or crashes if exploited improperly. Organizations in sectors with high regulatory requirements for data protection, such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, may face compliance risks if this vulnerability is exploited and leads to data leakage. The local attack vector means that insider threats or attackers who have gained limited access to endpoints could leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges or extract sensitive information. Given the lack of known exploits in the wild, the immediate risk may be moderate, but the potential for future exploitation remains, especially if a public exploit is developed. European organizations should be vigilant and prioritize mitigation to prevent exploitation that could disrupt operations or lead to data breaches.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting access to systems running Vba32 Antivirus 3.36.0 to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of local attackers exploiting the vulnerability. 2. Employ strict endpoint access controls and monitor for unusual local activity that could indicate attempts to exploit the vulnerability. 3. Disable or limit the use of the vulnerable IOCTL interface (0x22200B) if possible, through driver configuration or system policies, to prevent arbitrary memory reads. 4. Maintain up-to-date backups and ensure system integrity monitoring is in place to detect any unauthorized changes or crashes related to exploitation attempts. 5. Engage with VirusBlokAda for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 6. Use application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block suspicious behavior associated with local privilege escalation attempts. 7. Conduct internal audits to identify all endpoints running the affected antivirus version and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. 8. Educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability specifics to enhance detection and response capabilities.