CVE-2002-2127 in Integrity Protection Driver
Summary
by MITRE
Integrity Protection Driver (IPD) 1.2 and earlier blocks access to \Device\PhysicalMemory by its name, which could allow local privileged processes to overwrite kernel memory by accessing the device through a symlink.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2127 resides within the Integrity Protection Driver (IPD) version 1.2 and earlier implementations, representing a critical flaw in Windows kernel memory protection mechanisms. This issue specifically targets the driver's approach to managing access controls for physical memory devices, creating a pathway for malicious local processes to bypass security measures designed to protect kernel space from unauthorized modification.
The technical flaw manifests through the IPD's insufficient handling of device access controls for \Device\PhysicalMemory. When the driver attempts to block access to this critical device by name, it fails to properly validate access through alternative pathways such as symbolic links. This design oversight allows privilege escalation attacks where local processes can create symbolic links pointing to the physical memory device, effectively circumventing the intended access restrictions. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by processes with local user privileges to achieve kernel-level code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in Windows memory protection architecture. Attackers can leverage this flaw to overwrite kernel memory contents directly, potentially leading to system instability, complete system compromise, or the execution of arbitrary code with the highest privileges available to the operating system. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the security model that separates user-mode and kernel-mode execution contexts, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires minimal privileges to exploit, typically only local user access or a low-privilege process. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the design of access control mechanisms, specifically CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which falls under the broader category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1547.001: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder, as attackers can leverage kernel memory corruption to establish persistent access. The vulnerability also aligns with T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1070: Indicator Removal on Host, as exploited systems may exhibit signs of memory corruption and potentially be used as staging grounds for further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate access control flaw and the broader security implications within the operating system's kernel protection mechanisms. Microsoft addressed this issue through patches that properly validate device access through symbolic links and implement more robust access control for physical memory devices. Organizations should ensure immediate patch deployment, implement strict access control policies for kernel-level resources, and monitor for suspicious process behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel-mode drivers signing requirements and enhanced monitoring of kernel memory access patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper access control implementation at all levels of the operating system, particularly in kernel-space components that handle sensitive memory resources.