CVE-2023-41444
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Binalyze IREC.sys driver allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges via a specific function. It affects users of Binalyze IREC.sys version 3.11.0 and earlier on Windows systems. Successful exploitation leads to complete system compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- Binalyze IREC.sys
📦 What is this software?
Irec by Binalyze
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system takeover with kernel-level privileges, enabling installation of persistent malware, credential theft, and disabling of security controls.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to gain SYSTEM-level access from a lower-privileged account.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper endpoint protection and least privilege principles are enforced.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit code is publicly available and requires local user access.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.12.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.binalyze.com/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download latest version from Binalyze website. 2. Uninstall current version. 3. Install updated version. 4. Restart system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Driver Removal
windowsRemove the vulnerable IREC.sys driver from the system
sc stop IREC
sc delete IREC
del C:\Windows\System32\drivers\IREC.sys
Access Restriction
windowsRestrict access to the driver using Windows security settings
icacls C:\Windows\System32\drivers\IREC.sys /deny *S-1-1-0:(F)
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least privilege principles to limit local user access
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check driver version in Device Manager or using: driverquery | findstr IRECCheck Version:
driverquery | findstr IRECVerify Fix Applied:
Verify driver version is 3.12.0 or later using: driverquery | findstr IREC📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Event ID 7045: Service installation for IREC
- Unexpected driver loads
- Privilege escalation attempts
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
EventID=7045 AND ServiceName="IREC" OR ProcessName="IREC.sys"🔗 References
- https://blog.dru1d.ninja/windows-driver-exploit-development-irec-sys-a5eb45093945
- https://gist.github.com/dru1d-foofus/1af21179f253879f101c3a8d4f718bf0
- https://github.com/magicsword-io/LOLDrivers/blob/main/yaml/d74fdf19-b4b0-4ec2-9c29-4213b064138b.yml
- https://blog.dru1d.ninja/windows-driver-exploit-development-irec-sys-a5eb45093945
- https://gist.github.com/dru1d-foofus/1af21179f253879f101c3a8d4f718bf0
- https://github.com/magicsword-io/LOLDrivers/blob/main/yaml/d74fdf19-b4b0-4ec2-9c29-4213b064138b.yml
