CVE-2011-0037 in Windows Live OneCare
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Malware Protection Engine before 1.1.6603.0, as used in Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT), Windows Defender, Security Essentials, Forefront Client Security, Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010, and Windows Live OneCare, allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted value of an unspecified user registry key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-0037 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Microsoft's Malware Protection Engine, which serves as the core scanning and removal component across multiple Microsoft security products. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 1.1.6603.0 and impacts a wide range of Microsoft security solutions including Windows Defender, Security Essentials, Forefront Client Security, and Windows Live OneCare. The flaw exists within the engine's handling of user registry keys, specifically when processing crafted values that can be manipulated by local users to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the Malware Protection Engine's registry key processing logic. When the engine encounters a specially crafted value within an unspecified user registry key, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before processing it. This improper handling creates an opportunity for privilege escalation where local attackers can manipulate registry entries to inject malicious code that executes with system-level privileges. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under CWE-264, specifically CWE-264: Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls, which emphasizes the importance of proper access control mechanisms in security software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows local users to bypass normal security restrictions and gain elevated privileges on affected systems. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistence mechanisms within the target environment. The widespread adoption of affected Microsoft security products means that numerous systems across different organizations could be vulnerable, creating a substantial attack surface. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where users have local access to systems running vulnerable versions of Microsoft security software, making it a concern for both enterprise and individual users.
The exploitability of this vulnerability requires local user access but does not require network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local privilege escalation is a concern. The attack vector involves manipulation of registry keys that are typically accessible to local users, which means that even users with standard account privileges could potentially leverage this vulnerability. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, which focuses on using software vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability also demonstrates the principle of least privilege violation where security software itself becomes a vector for privilege escalation rather than a protective mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate application of Microsoft security updates that address the specific flaw in Malware Protection Engine version 1.1.6603.0 and later. Organizations should ensure all affected Microsoft security products are updated to the latest versions that contain the patched engine. Additionally, implementing registry access controls and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to security-related registry keys can help detect potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing least privilege principles for user accounts and regularly audit registry configurations to prevent unauthorized modifications that could lead to privilege escalation. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and demonstrates how security tools themselves can become attack vectors if not properly maintained and patched.