CVE-2013-0810 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, and Windows Server 2008 SP2 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted screensaver in a theme file, aka "Windows Theme File Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
This vulnerability exists in multiple Microsoft Windows operating systems including Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, and Windows Server 2008 SP2. The flaw resides in how these systems process theme files containing crafted screensavers, creating a remote code execution vector that can be exploited by attackers without requiring local system access. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows theme subsystem which handles user interface customization through theme files that can contain various components including wallpapers, sounds, and screensavers. When a malicious theme file with a specially crafted screensaver is loaded, the system's theme processing engine fails to properly validate the screensaver component, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user. This represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability that falls under CWE-121, which describes the condition where a program writes data past the end of a fixed-length buffer, and is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through network-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities on targeted systems without requiring authentication or physical access. Attackers can craft malicious theme files that appear legitimate to users, potentially distributing them through social engineering campaigns or by compromising websites that serve theme files. The vulnerability affects the Windows theme processing component which is frequently used by users to customize their desktop environments, making it an attractive target for exploitation. When a user opens a malicious theme file or when the system automatically loads a compromised theme, the malicious screensaver component executes code in the context of the user's session, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or establish persistent access to the compromised system. This vulnerability particularly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and script interpreter usage, and T1068 which addresses local privilege escalation through exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate installation of Microsoft security updates that address the theme file processing flaw, as well as implementing administrative controls to restrict user access to theme files from untrusted sources. Organizations should deploy network segmentation to limit access to systems that might be exposed to malicious theme files, and implement application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized theme files. System administrators should also monitor for suspicious theme file downloads or installations and consider disabling automatic theme loading features in environments where security is paramount. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in system components that process user-supplied data, as highlighted by CWE-125 which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of downloading and installing theme files from untrusted sources, and organizations should implement security awareness training to reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability.