A critical zero-day vulnerability in **Elastic’s Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)** solution—specifically in the **elastic-endpoint-driver.sys** kernel driver—allows attackers to bypass security, execute arbitrary code, and trigger **Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) crashes**, rendering systems unusable. The flaw stems from a **NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)**, enabling a four-stage attack chain: **EDR bypass, Remote Code Execution (RCE), persistence via a malicious kernel driver, and privileged Denial-of-Service (DoS)**. The exploit turns Elastic’s own security tool into a weapon, risking large-scale endpoint disablement across enterprises. No patch exists for versions **8.17.6 and later**, leaving customers exposed since disclosure attempts (June–August 2025). The vulnerability erodes trust in Elastic’s SIEM/EDR products, as a signed driver can now behave like malware, crashing systems on demand. Organizations face **operational paralysis, potential data exposure during crashes, and loss of defensive capabilities** until mitigation is deployed.
Source: https://cybersecuritynews.com/elastic-edr-0-day-vulnerability/
TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/elastic-co
"id": "ela627081725",
"linkid": "elastic-co",
"type": "Vulnerability",
"date": "6/2025",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "5",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization's existence"{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': ['All organizations using '
'Elastic Defend/Elastic Agent '
'with vulnerable driver '
'versions',
'Paying customers of Elastic '
'(including Ashes Cybersecurity '
'Pvt Ltd.)'],
'industry': 'Cybersecurity (SIEM/EDR)',
'location': 'Global (HQ: Mountain View, California, '
'USA)',
'name': 'Elasticsearch, Inc.',
'type': 'Software Vendor'}],
'attack_vector': ['Local/Remote Code Execution via Custom Loader',
'Kernel Driver Manipulation',
'NULL Pointer Dereference Exploit (CWE-476)'],
'customer_advisories': ['Ashes Cybersecurity (discoverer) is a paying '
'customer; broader customer base at risk'],
'date_detected': '2025-06-02',
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2025-08-16',
'description': 'A zero-day vulnerability in Elastic’s Endpoint Detection and '
'Response (EDR) solution, specifically in the '
"'elastic-endpoint-driver.sys' kernel driver (signed by "
'Microsoft), allows attackers to bypass security measures, '
'execute malicious code, and trigger a Blue Screen of Death '
'(BSOD) system crash. The flaw, classified as CWE-476 (NULL '
'Pointer Dereference), enables a four-step attack chain: EDR '
'bypass, Remote Code Execution (RCE), persistence via a custom '
'kernel driver, and a Privileged Persistent Denial of Service '
'(DoS). The vulnerability was discovered by Ashes '
'Cybersecurity and remains unpatched as of the disclosure '
'date, posing severe risks to enterprises relying on Elastic’s '
'SIEM and EDR solutions. The attacker can manipulate the '
'trusted driver to exhibit malware-like behavior, disabling '
'endpoints at scale.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': ['Erosion of trust in Elastic’s '
'security products',
'Broader industry skepticism toward '
'EDR solutions'],
'downtime': ['Persistent system crashes (BSOD)',
'Potential large-scale endpoint disablement'],
'operational_impact': ['Loss of EDR/SIEM protection',
'System instability',
'Potential for follow-on attacks (e.g., '
'malware deployment)'],
'systems_affected': ['Endpoints running Elastic EDR/Agent',
"Systems with 'elastic-endpoint-driver.sys'"]},
'initial_access_broker': {'backdoors_established': ['Custom kernel driver for '
'persistence'],
'entry_point': ['Exploitation of NULL Pointer '
'Dereference in '
"'elastic-endpoint-driver.sys'",
'Custom loader to bypass EDR'],
'high_value_targets': ['Elastic EDR/Agent endpoints',
'Systems with privileged '
'kernel access']},
'investigation_status': 'Ongoing (no patch released; vulnerability confirmed '
'via Proof of Concept)',
'lessons_learned': ['Zero-day vulnerabilities in security products can '
'undermine their core purpose, turning defensive tools '
'into attack vectors.',
'Kernel drivers, even when signed by trusted entities '
'(e.g., Microsoft), can introduce critical risks if not '
'rigorously validated.',
'Delayed patching of disclosed vulnerabilities in widely '
'used security software exposes enterprises to systemic '
'risks.',
'Transparency in disclosure timelines (e.g., HackerOne, '
'ZDI) is critical for customer awareness and mitigation.'],
'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': ['Patch NULL Pointer '
'Dereference in '
"'elastic-endpoint-driver.sys'",
'Implement stricter kernel '
'driver validation and '
'sandboxing',
'Enhance secure coding '
'practices for privileged '
'components',
'Improve vulnerability '
'disclosure and patch '
'management processes'],
'root_causes': ['Lack of proper pointer validation '
'in kernel-mode code (CWE-476)',
'Inadequate input sanitization for '
'user-mode controllable pointers '
'in privileged routines',
'Delayed vendor response to '
'disclosure attempts '
'(HackerOne/ZDI)',
'Over-reliance on code signing '
'without runtime integrity '
'checks']},
'recommendations': ['Elastic should prioritize patching the NULL Pointer '
"Dereference in 'elastic-endpoint-driver.sys' and conduct "
'a full security audit of its kernel components.',
'Customers should isolate or disable vulnerable Elastic '
'EDR/Agent instances until a patch is available, and '
'monitor for unusual system crashes or persistence '
'mechanisms.',
'Organizations should implement defense-in-depth '
'strategies (e.g., additional EDR layers, behavioral '
'monitoring) to mitigate risks from compromised security '
'tools.',
'Security vendors should adopt stricter code-signing '
'practices and kernel driver validation to prevent '
'similar exploits.',
'Independent security researchers should be incentivized '
'to responsibly disclose vulnerabilities through '
'coordinated programs to reduce public exposure risks.'],
'references': [{'date_accessed': '2025-08-16',
'source': 'Ashes Cybersecurity Research'},
{'date_accessed': '2025-06-11',
'source': 'HackerOne Disclosure Attempt'},
{'date_accessed': '2025-07-29',
'source': 'Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) Disclosure Attempt'}],
'response': {'communication_strategy': ['Independent public disclosure by '
'Ashes Cybersecurity (2025-08-16)'],
'remediation_measures': ['No patch available as of disclosure',
'Customers advised to monitor for '
'updates'],
'third_party_assistance': ['Disclosure attempts via HackerOne '
'(2025-06-11)',
'Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) '
'(2025-07-29)']},
'stakeholder_advisories': ['Customers advised to await official patch; no '
'temporary mitigations provided'],
'title': 'Elastic EDR Zero-Day Vulnerability Leading to BSOD and System '
'Compromise',
'type': ['Zero-Day Vulnerability',
'Privilege Escalation',
'Denial of Service (DoS)',
'Remote Code Execution (RCE)',
'Persistence Mechanism'],
'vulnerability_exploited': {'affected_component': 'elastic-endpoint-driver.sys '
'(version 8.17.6 and likely '
'subsequent versions)',
'affected_software': ['Elastic Defend',
'Elastic Agent'],
'cwe_id': 'CWE-476',
'description': 'NULL Pointer Dereference in '
"'elastic-endpoint-driver.sys' "
'kernel driver, allowing '
'uncontrolled pointer '
'dereferencing in privileged '
'kernel routines, leading to BSOD '
'and system compromise.',
'severity': 'Critical'}}