CVE-2007-1765 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 through Vista allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (persistent reboot) via a malformed ANI file, which results in memory corruption when processing cursors, animated cursors, and icons, a similar issue to CVE-2005-0416, as originally demonstrated using Internet Explorer 6 and 7. NOTE: this issue might be a duplicate of CVE-2007-0038; if so, then use CVE-2007-0038 instead of this identifier.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2024
This vulnerability resides within the Windows operating system's handling of cursor and icon files, specifically affecting Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 through Windows Vista. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed ANI (Animated Cursor) files, which are used to display animated cursors in graphical user interfaces. These files contain binary data that defines animated cursor sequences, and when improperly formatted, they trigger memory corruption issues within the Windows graphics subsystem. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely through web-based attacks, making it accessible to threat actors without requiring local system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper parsing of ANI file structures, particularly in how Windows handles animated cursor data during the rendering process. When Internet Explorer 6 and 7 encounter a maliciously crafted ANI file, the browser's rendering engine passes the malformed data to the underlying Windows cursor processing components. This processing occurs in kernel mode memory regions, where the system attempts to validate and display the animated cursor. The memory corruption happens during the parsing of the ANI file header and subsequent frame data, causing buffer overflows or heap corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read errors that can lead to memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include persistent denial of service conditions. Attackers can craft ANI files that not only execute arbitrary code but also cause the system to reboot continuously, effectively creating a persistent DoS condition that can render systems unusable. This behavior occurs because the memory corruption corrupts critical system structures, including process control blocks and kernel memory management data structures. The vulnerability's exploitation path aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through system processes, and T1489, which covers system shutdown/reboot attacks. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the graphics processing subsystem that was not adequately addressed across the Windows 2000 through Vista lineage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require multiple layers of defense to protect against exploitation. System administrators should implement strict file type filtering at network boundaries, particularly blocking ANI files from being served through web browsers or email attachments. The most effective immediate mitigation involves disabling automatic cursor animation processing in web browsers and ensuring that users cannot download or execute cursor files from untrusted sources. Windows Update mechanisms should be utilized to deploy patches that correct the ANI file parsing logic, which typically involves adding proper bounds checking and input validation to prevent buffer overflows. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which applications can process cursor files provides an additional security layer. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in system-level components and highlights why security patches should be applied promptly, as this type of vulnerability can be exploited remotely and does not require user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content.