CVE-2008-2249 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in GDI in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP1 and SP2, Vista Gold and SP1, and Server 2008 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed header in a crafted WMF file, which triggers a buffer overflow, aka "GDI Integer Overflow Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2024
The CVE-2008-2249 vulnerability represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Graphics Device Interface (GDI) component of multiple Microsoft Windows operating systems including Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP1 and SP2, Vista Gold and SP1, and Server 2008. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the GDI subsystem responsible for rendering graphics and handling graphical data structures. The flaw specifically manifests when processing Windows Metafile (WMF) format files, which are vector graphics formats commonly used for storing graphical data and can be embedded in various Microsoft Office documents and web content. When a malformed WMF file is processed, the GDI component fails to properly validate integer values during buffer allocation calculations, leading to an integer overflow condition that subsequently triggers a buffer overflow in memory.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of WMF file headers where an attacker crafts a specially designed file containing oversized integer values that, when processed by the vulnerable GDI component, cause the system to allocate insufficient buffer space for the graphics data. This integer overflow condition specifically affects the calculation of buffer sizes needed to store graphic objects, causing the system to allocate a buffer that is significantly smaller than required. The resulting buffer overflow allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the compromised process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and malicious websites that serve crafted WMF files. The exploitation typically requires the user to open or view the malicious file, making social engineering a common accompanying attack method.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple Windows versions and creates significant security risks for enterprise environments. Organizations running affected systems face potential compromise of user sessions, privilege escalation to system-level access, and possible lateral movement within network infrastructures. The vulnerability's presence in Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003 systems particularly affects legacy environments where patching may be delayed or impossible due to application compatibility concerns. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability as having high severity due to its remote exploitability and the potential for privilege escalation. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions where an integer value exceeds the maximum representable value, and is associated with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution. The attack surface is broad since WMF files can be embedded in various document formats and delivered through multiple channels including email, web browsers, and file sharing systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2249 require immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, specifically addressing the GDI integer overflow in the Windows operating systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive network protection measures including email filtering, web content filtering, and application whitelisting to prevent execution of untrusted WMF files. The security community recommends disabling WMF file processing in web browsers and email clients where possible, as well as implementing strict file type validation and content scanning. System administrators should prioritize patch management for all affected Windows versions and consider implementing additional security controls such as disabling the Windows Metafile Viewer component and restricting user privileges to minimize potential impact. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in graphics processing components, highlighting the need for robust software security practices throughout the development lifecycle to prevent similar integer overflow conditions in future software releases.