CVE-2005-2827 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
the thread termination routine in the kernel for windows nt 4.0 and 2000 (ntoskrnl.exe) allows local users to modify kernel memory and execution flow via steps in which a terminating thread causes asynchronous procedure call (apc) entries to free the wrong data aka the "windows kernel vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2827 represents a critical kernel-level flaw in the Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 operating systems that specifically targets the thread termination routine within the ntoskrnl.exe kernel component. This vulnerability falls under the category of kernel-mode memory corruption issues that can be exploited by local attackers to gain unauthorized control over system execution flow and memory contents. The flaw manifests during the process of thread cleanup when the kernel attempts to manage asynchronous procedure calls and their associated memory allocations, creating a scenario where improper memory deallocation occurs.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of Asynchronous Procedure Call (APC) entries during thread termination processes. When a thread is terminated, the kernel's ntoskrnl.exe module is responsible for cleaning up associated resources including APC queues and their corresponding data structures. The flaw occurs because the kernel routine fails to properly validate or manage the memory addresses associated with APC entries that are being freed, leading to a situation where memory that should remain allocated gets prematurely deallocated or where the wrong memory locations are targeted for deallocation. This incorrect memory management results in memory corruption that can be leveraged by malicious code to overwrite critical kernel data structures or execution pointers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and encompasses multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by local users with minimal privileges. Attackers can leverage this flaw to modify kernel memory contents directly, potentially corrupting critical system structures such as process control blocks, memory management data, or execution flow control mechanisms. The ability to manipulate kernel memory execution flow means that malicious code can redirect program execution to arbitrary code locations, effectively allowing for privilege escalation attacks and potential system compromise. This vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a mechanism to bypass kernel protection mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to system resources that should remain protected.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 (Heap Overflow) and CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) categories, representing heap corruption issues that occur during kernel memory management operations. The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability follows ATT&CK technique T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) where local users can escalate their privileges to gain system-level access. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of a use-after-free condition where memory that has been freed is accessed again, creating opportunities for code injection and arbitrary code execution within kernel space.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from Microsoft, as the flaw exists in the core kernel components of affected operating systems. Organizations should prioritize patch management and ensure that Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 systems are either updated to supported versions or isolated from production environments where possible. Additionally, implementing security measures such as kernel-mode code integrity checking, memory protection mechanisms, and monitoring for anomalous thread termination patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing least privilege principles and restricting local user access to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in environments where immediate patching is not feasible.