CVE-2011-1974 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
NDISTAPI.sys in the NDISTAPI driver in Remote Access Service (RAS) in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3 and Windows Server 2003 SP2 does not properly validate user-mode input, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "NDISTAPI Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2025
The CVE-2011-1974 vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Network Driver Interface Specification API (NDISTAPI) subsystem of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability exists in the NDISTAPI.sys kernel driver component that forms part of the Remote Access Service functionality, specifically affecting Windows XP Service Pack 2 and 3, as well as Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2. The flaw stems from inadequate validation of user-mode input parameters passed to the kernel-level driver, creating a pathway for malicious applications to exploit this weakness and elevate their privileges from standard user level to system level access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the NDISTAPI driver failing to properly sanitize or validate input data from user-mode applications before processing it within kernel space. When a malicious application attempts to interact with the driver through specific API calls, it can manipulate input parameters in ways that cause the driver to execute unintended code paths or alter memory structures. This improper input validation creates a condition where untrusted data can influence kernel execution flow, allowing attackers to craft specially designed applications that exploit the driver's lack of proper boundary checking and input sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation."
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables local attackers to achieve system-level privileges without requiring authentication or physical access to the target system. Once successfully exploited, an attacker gains complete control over the affected system, allowing them to install malicious software, modify system files, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability's local nature means that any user with the ability to run applications on the target system can potentially exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or when users have legitimate access to systems. This privilege escalation capability undermines the fundamental security model of Windows operating systems, where user applications should be isolated from kernel-level operations to prevent unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1974 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Microsoft has released security patches through Windows Update that address this vulnerability by implementing proper input validation within the NDISTAPI driver. Organizations should prioritize applying these patches immediately to all affected systems, particularly those running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, which are now considered legacy platforms. Additionally, system administrators should implement the principle of least privilege by limiting user accounts to non-administrative rights, reducing the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the risks associated with running unsupported operating systems, as Windows XP and Server 2003 reached end-of-life support in 2014 and 2015 respectively, leaving them vulnerable to unpatched security flaws like this one.