CVE-2008-4835 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
SMB in the Server service 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 malformed values of unspecified "fields inside the SMB packets" in an NT Trans2 request, related to "insufficiently validating the buffer size," aka "SMB Validation Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4835 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft's Server Message Block implementation that affects multiple versions of 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 network protocol level through the Server service component that handles SMB communications, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without authentication from remote attackers. The flaw specifically manifests in the processing of NT Trans2 requests where the Server service fails to properly validate buffer sizes within SMB packets, creating a condition where maliciously crafted data can trigger memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the SMB protocol handler, specifically within the Server service implementation. When processing NT Trans2 requests, the system does not sufficiently validate the buffer sizes specified in various fields of the SMB packet structure, leading to potential buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions. This validation failure allows attackers to craft specially formatted SMB packets that contain oversized or malformed buffer specifications, which when processed by the vulnerable Server service can result in execution of malicious code with the privileges of the affected system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient validation of buffer sizes leads to memory corruption, and also relates to CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions that can occur when buffer boundaries are not properly enforced.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4835 is severe and far-reaching given the widespread deployment of affected Windows versions across enterprise environments. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for networked systems that expose SMB ports to external networks. The vulnerability enables attackers to gain complete system compromise, potentially leading to data exfiltration, lateral movement within networks, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The attack surface is extensive as SMB is a fundamental protocol used for file sharing, printer access, and other network services, meaning that exploitation could occur through various network endpoints. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1075, which covers "Pass the Hash" and T1046, which covers "Network Service Scanning" as attackers can use this vulnerability to establish initial access and then expand their compromise within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4835 should focus on immediate patch deployment as the primary defense mechanism, with Microsoft releasing security updates that address the buffer validation issues in the SMB Server service. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of SMB services to untrusted networks and disable SMBv1 protocol where possible, as SMBv1 is particularly vulnerable to this class of attacks. Additional defensive measures include configuring firewalls to block SMB traffic on ports 139 and 445 from external sources, implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous SMB traffic patterns, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify systems that may not have received the security updates. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following Microsoft's security advisory practices, as this issue demonstrates how protocol-level vulnerabilities in core operating system services can create widespread compromise opportunities across multiple Windows versions.