Kernel Versus User Mode? - It’s a Question of Security

In the great debate of how to secure the desktop from the misuse of privilege, nothing is more contested then the approach: kernel versus user mode. Every vendor will postulate on their approach as the best methodology for eliminating desktop admin rights and fostering a least privilege environment, but how do you separate the marketing BS from the technical realities?

Over the past 6 years that PowerBroker Desktops (FKA Privilege Manager) has been in themarketplace, BeyondTrust has invested a large portion of our R&D budget (more than some competitor's entire annual revenue) making sure that the methods we use to elevate user privileges are the most secure. To simplify the product we implement as much as we can at the user level, but to preserve the security integrity of the product, a small portion of critical functionality is implemented as a kernel driver. This patent-pending functionality is implemented using methods supported by Microsoft and does not “patch the kernel”. Most importantly, the functionality in the driver is critical for securing process elevation against several well known attack vectors. Without this functionality, a user or malware can attack an elevated process and gain full control over the desktop, which defeats the whole purpose of managing user privileges. To date, we know of no other way to protect against these attacks, and any solution without this type of driver component may be susceptible to security vulnerabilities. In fact, we love to uncover these vulnerabilities and can offer you a free evaluation of your current environment.

This is not an argument about the merits of user mode versus kernel mode controls, it’s a matter of meeting our obligation to provide a secure, well engineered product. Products that operate at the kernel level have the potential to introduce system instability if not properly implemented. But PowerBroker Desktops has been extensively tested, including testing with Microsoft’s Driver Verifier and we have never had any issues with stability on the over 1,000,000 (one million) desktops that are licensed to use our product. In fact we also have been a Microsoft Gold Partner for years and secured Windows 7 Compatibility Certification in April, 2010.

Existing and potential customers of privilege elevation products should do their own research. We are happy to put our products through any test or evaluation process you want and can help you assess the vulnerability of your current solution. Click on the button below for your own free evaluation or contact a rep now.