CVE-1999-1360 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows NT 4.0 allows local users to cause a denial of service via a user mode application that closes a handle that was opened in kernel mode, which causes a crash when the kernel attempts to close the handle.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2024
This vulnerability exists in Windows nt 4.0 operating systems and represents a critical flaw in the kernel handle management subsystem. The issue arises from improper handle closure handling between user mode and kernel mode components, creating a scenario where a local user can deliberately trigger a system crash through malicious application behavior. The vulnerability specifically occurs when a user mode application closes a handle that was originally opened within kernel mode context, leading to a kernel-level crash when the system attempts to perform the closure operation. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the operating system's handle lifecycle management and memory protection mechanisms, where the kernel cannot properly validate or process handle closure requests originating from user mode processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the inherent trust relationship between kernel and user mode components in the windows nt architecture. When a handle is opened in kernel mode, it typically maintains specific kernel-level state information and memory references that must be properly managed throughout its lifecycle. The flaw occurs because the kernel does not adequately validate handle closure requests from user mode applications, particularly when these requests reference handles that were created or managed within kernel mode contexts. This creates a condition where user mode code can manipulate kernel-level resources in ways that were not anticipated during system design, leading to memory corruption and subsequent system instability. The vulnerability is classified as a handle leak or handle management error that can be leveraged for denial of service attacks, where the system becomes unresponsive or crashes entirely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it represents a serious security weakness that can be exploited by local attackers to disrupt system availability. Local users with standard account privileges can leverage this vulnerability to cause system-wide denial of service conditions, potentially affecting critical business operations or network availability. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard user applications, making it difficult to detect and prevent through conventional access control mechanisms. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of windows nt 4.0, where the kernel is expected to provide robust protection against malicious or erroneous user mode code. The potential for exploitation exists across all local user contexts, including both authenticated and unauthenticated users who have access to the system, making it a widespread concern for organizations running vulnerable versions of the operating system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by microsoft, as well as implementing additional security controls to prevent local privilege escalation. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to supported windows nt versions or applying the appropriate security patches that address handle management flaws in kernel mode operations. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of local exploitation by restricting user access to critical systems. Additionally, system monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual handle closure patterns or kernel-level anomalies that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with several common weakness enumerations including cwe 121 which covers buffer overflow conditions, and cwe 125 which addresses out-of-bounds read errors, though the specific nature of this issue relates more closely to improper handle management and kernel resource handling. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under the attack technique of privilege escalation through kernel exploitation, which falls within the broader category of operating system exploitation techniques described in the attack tree framework.