CVE-2007-2229 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows Vista uses insecure default permissions for unspecified "local user information data stores" in the registry and the file system, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information such as administrative passwords, aka "Permissive User Information Store ACLs Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
This vulnerability resides in Microsoft Windows Vista operating systems where the platform fails to implement proper access control lists for certain user information data stores located in both the registry and file system. The flaw manifests as insecure default permissions that permit unauthorized local users to access sensitive administrative credentials and other confidential user information. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security architecture of the operating system by creating weak points in the access control mechanisms that should normally restrict information disclosure to authorized personnel only. This issue represents a significant deviation from secure by default principles that should govern all modern operating systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper configuration of access control permissions for user information stores that contain administrative passwords and other privileged data. When Windows Vista initializes its user management systems, it creates data stores with default permissions that are overly permissive, allowing local users to traverse the registry and file system paths to access these sensitive repositories. The vulnerability operates through the Windows access control model where the default permissions for these data stores do not properly restrict access based on user privileges or security contexts. This flaw aligns with CWE-276, which describes inadequate permissions for critical resources, and demonstrates how weak default configurations can create persistent security weaknesses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it enables local users to escalate their privileges and potentially gain unauthorized administrative access to systems. An attacker with local access can exploit this weakness to extract administrative passwords and other sensitive credentials, which can then be used for lateral movement within networks or to compromise additional systems. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the system is running with the insecure default permissions, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or when systems are not properly configured. This weakness can be leveraged in conjunction with other attack vectors to facilitate more sophisticated compromise scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper access control configurations through registry modifications and file system permission adjustments. System administrators should review and tighten the access control lists for the affected user information data stores to ensure that only authorized processes and users can access these sensitive repositories. The recommended approach includes implementing the principle of least privilege by restricting access to administrative passwords and user information stores to only those processes that absolutely require such access. Additionally, regular security audits and automated compliance checking should be implemented to prevent the reoccurrence of insecure default configurations. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security configuration management and the need for operating systems to implement secure defaults that align with industry standards such as those defined in the NIST security guidelines and CIS benchmarks.