Why Microsoft Is To Blame For The Crowdstrike Outage (Not The EU)

Summary

The video script delves into the complexities of Windows security, addressing misconceptions about antivirus (AV) software and the kernel. It explains the history of Windows security, the evolution of malware, and the impact of Microsoft's Kernel Patch Protection (KPP) on AV effectiveness. The speaker, a former malware developer and current analyst, debunks myths about EU regulations hindering Microsoft's security advancements and highlights the lack of robust user-mode APIs as the core issue. The script concludes that the real problem lies with Microsoft's failure to provide adequate user-mode alternatives to kernel-level security functionalities.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Misconceptions about Windows kernel security and antivirus access need clarification.
• 🛡️ Pre-Windows Vista, both malware and antivirus could modify the kernel, causing instability.
• 💥 Microsoft introduced PatchGuard in Vista to prevent kernel modifications, which affected both malware and antivirus.
• 🔐 Kernel patch protection and driver signature enforcement were intended to secure the kernel but had mixed results.
• 🔄 The implementation of user account control (UAC) in Vista aimed to limit privilege escalation but was bypassed by malware.
• 🛠️ Microsoft initially did not provide sufficient user-mode alternatives to kernel access for security products.
• 🌐 The EU did not prevent Microsoft from releasing a security API; they required a level playing field for all security products.
• 🔧 Windows 10 introduced more robust security APIs and features like protected process light and the Microsoft Threat Intelligence API.
• 🚫 The lack of comprehensive user-mode security APIs in earlier Windows versions contributed to ongoing security challenges.
• 🏢 The responsibility for the problematic security ecosystem lies with Microsoft's handling of kernel and user-mode security capabilities.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?

The main topic discussed is the CrowdStrike outage and the role of antivirus software in the Windows kernel, including historical context and technical details.

Why does the speaker believe they are uniquely qualified to discuss the CrowdStrike outage?

The speaker believes they are uniquely qualified because they have experience as a malware developer, currently work as a malware analyst, and have extensive knowledge of reverse engineering the Windows kernel.

What is the claim made by Dave's Garage that the speaker wants to debunk?

Dave's Garage claimed that Microsoft had an amazing security API ready to go, but the EU prevented its release, which the speaker believes is incorrect.

What historical issues did Windows face with kernel rootkits?

Windows had problems with kernel rootkits, where malware could load a driver into the kernel to hide from antivirus software, leading to significant security issues and system instability.

What is PatchGuard, and why was it introduced?

PatchGuard, or Kernel Patch Protection, was introduced by Microsoft to prevent modifications to critical kernel structures, aiming to stop both kernel rootkits and antivirus software from operating in the kernel.

How did Microsoft's introduction of PatchGuard impact antivirus software?

PatchGuard prevented antivirus software from modifying the kernel, which limited their ability to protect the system and led to a loss of important security capabilities.

What was the role of user account control (UAC) in Windows Vista, and why did it fail to fully address security concerns?

User account control (UAC) in Windows Vista was designed to create a separation of privileges within user mode. However, it failed because certain executables were allowed to bypass these restrictions, which malware exploited.

How did the EU's regulations affect Microsoft's security strategy for Windows?

The EU required Microsoft to create a level playing field for third-party security products, meaning they could not give their own products capabilities that third-party products did not have.

What capabilities did Microsoft remove from antivirus software with PatchGuard, and how did this affect malware detection?

Microsoft removed the ability of antivirus software to perform SSDT hooking, which allowed them to monitor all system calls. This significantly reduced their ability to detect and intercept malicious behavior.

What improvements were introduced in Windows 10 regarding antivirus capabilities?

Windows 10 introduced new APIs for monitoring memory and process activities, allowing antivirus software to regain some of the visibility and capabilities lost with PatchGuard. Additionally, features like protected process light helped protect antivirus processes without needing kernel drivers.