CVE-2010-1893 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the TCP/IP stack in Microsoft Windows Vista SP1, Windows Server 2008 Gold and R2, and Windows 7 allows local users to gain privileges via a buffer of user-mode data that is copied to kernel mode, aka "Integer Overflow in Windows Networking Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1893 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol stack of multiple Microsoft Windows operating systems including Windows Vista SP1, Windows Server 2008 Gold and R2, and Windows 7. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the networking subsystem and specifically targets the mechanism used to handle buffer operations between user-mode and kernel-mode execution contexts. The flaw occurs when the system processes network data that is copied from user-mode memory space to kernel-mode memory space, creating a scenario where integer arithmetic operations can exceed their maximum representable values.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of buffer sizes during network packet processing within the TCP/IP stack implementation. When user-mode applications submit network data to the kernel-mode networking components, the system performs calculations to determine buffer allocation sizes. The integer overflow occurs during these calculations, potentially resulting in a situation where a maliciously crafted buffer size calculation produces a value that wraps around to a small positive integer instead of the expected large value. This misalignment creates a buffer that is significantly smaller than anticipated, leading to memory corruption when the system attempts to copy data into the improperly sized buffer.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability provides local attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges from user-level execution to kernel-level execution. The privilege escalation occurs because the integer overflow results in memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical kernel memory structures or execute arbitrary code within the kernel context. This represents a severe security risk as kernel-level execution provides complete system control, enabling attackers to bypass all user-mode security controls, install persistent backdoors, modify system files, and access all user data without detection. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no network connectivity or remote exploitation, making it a local privilege escalation vector that can be triggered simply by running malicious code on the target system.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is significant given the widespread deployment of affected Windows operating systems across enterprise environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that can result in memory corruption, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that corrected the buffer size calculation logic in the TCP/IP stack implementation, requiring system administrators to apply these patches promptly to maintain system integrity. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates, as the vulnerability can be exploited by malware or malicious users with local access to compromise entire systems. The remediation process involves applying the appropriate Microsoft security updates and verifying that the patched systems no longer exhibit the integer overflow behavior during network packet processing operations.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and integer arithmetic handling in kernel-mode code, as even seemingly minor flaws in buffer management can result in complete system compromise. The exploitation requires local system access but provides attackers with the ultimate privilege escalation capability available within the Windows security model, making it a high-priority target for both automated exploitation tools and targeted attacks against vulnerable systems.