CVE-2013-1258 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 allows local users to gain privileges, and consequently read the contents of arbitrary kernel memory locations, via a crafted application, a different vulnerability than other CVEs listed in MS13-016.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-1258 represents a critical race condition flaw within the win32k.sys kernel-mode driver component of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This flaw exists in multiple versions including Windows xp service pack 2 and 3, windows server 2003 service pack 2, windows vista service pack 2, windows server 2008 service pack 2 and r2, and windows 7 gold and service pack 1. The race condition occurs in the kernel-mode drivers responsible for handling user interface operations and graphics rendering, specifically within the win32k.sys file that manages windowing system functionality. This vulnerability is particularly significant because it allows local attackers to escalate privileges from standard user level to kernel level access, enabling them to read arbitrary kernel memory locations and potentially extract sensitive information from system memory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the win32k.sys driver during specific operations involving window management and graphics processing. When a malicious application triggers certain system calls that interact with the vulnerable driver, the race condition allows for a timing window where the system state becomes inconsistent. This inconsistency occurs when multiple threads or processes attempt to access shared resources within the kernel driver simultaneously without proper locking mechanisms. The flaw is classified as a race condition under cwe-362, which specifically addresses concurrent execution issues that can lead to security vulnerabilities. Attackers exploit this by carefully crafting applications that can manipulate the timing of system calls to trigger the race condition, ultimately gaining unauthorized access to kernel memory spaces that should normally be protected from user-mode applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1258 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides local attackers with the capability to achieve privilege escalation and memory disclosure. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to read kernel memory contents, potentially exposing sensitive data such as passwords, encryption keys, and other confidential information stored in system memory. This capability significantly undermines the security model of windows operating systems, as it allows attackers to bypass the fundamental protection mechanisms that separate user-mode and kernel-mode execution environments. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can be leveraged to extract information that could be used for further attacks or to understand the internal workings of the target system. According to the mitre attack framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and credential access tactics, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local access is possible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1258 primarily focus on applying the official microsoft security patches released as part of ms13-016, which specifically address this race condition vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected windows versions, particularly in enterprise environments where the risk of exploitation is higher. Additionally, implementing additional security controls such as user access restrictions, limiting local logon capabilities, and monitoring for unusual system behavior can help reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper kernel-mode driver security testing and the implementation of robust synchronization mechanisms to prevent similar race conditions in future software development. Organizations should also consider implementing memory protection techniques and monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns as part of their overall security posture. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for continuous security assessment and patch management processes, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the windows kernel security model that could be exploited by determined attackers with local access privileges.