CVE-2013-3198 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The NT Virtual DOS Machine (NTVDM) subsystem in the kernel in Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, Windows 7 SP1, and Windows 8 on 32-bit platforms does not properly validate kernel-memory addresses, which allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted application, aka "Windows Kernel Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-3196 and CVE-2013-3197.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3198 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the NT Virtual DOS Machine subsystem of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This issue affects a wide range of platforms including Windows XP SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, Windows 7 SP1, and Windows 8 on 32-bit architectures. The vulnerability specifically resides in the kernel-level NTVDM subsystem which provides compatibility for 16-bit dos applications on 32-bit windows operating systems, creating a unique attack surface that combines legacy compatibility features with core operating system functionality.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation of kernel-memory addresses within the NTVDM subsystem implementation. When processing crafted applications designed to exploit this vulnerability, the subsystem fails to properly validate memory addresses, leading to potential memory corruption conditions that can be leveraged by malicious actors. This memory validation failure occurs at the kernel level, where the vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate memory structures in ways that bypass normal operating system security mechanisms. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates within the kernel space, meaning successful exploitation can result in privilege escalation from user-level to kernel-level access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, presenting both privilege escalation and denial of service attack vectors. Local attackers who can execute malicious applications on affected systems can potentially elevate their privileges to system-level access, enabling them to bypass standard security controls and gain complete control over the affected machine. Additionally, the memory corruption aspect can lead to system instability, crashes, and denial of service conditions that render the affected systems unusable. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Windows versions and architectures makes it particularly attractive to attackers seeking broad exploitation capabilities, as it affects both desktop and server operating systems across several generations of Microsoft Windows.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" categories, representing classic memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in the industry. The attack pattern associated with CVE-2013-3198 corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1068: "Local Port Scan" and T1059: "Command and Scripting Interpreter" tactics, as attackers would likely use this vulnerability as a stepping stone for further system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access, making it a prime candidate for privilege escalation attacks within compromised environments, and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1484: "Domain Policy Modification" when used in enterprise environments where attackers might leverage elevated privileges to modify system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3198 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Microsoft, as the vulnerability affects multiple supported Windows versions that require security updates. Organizations should disable NTVDM functionality where possible through Group Policy settings or registry modifications to prevent exploitation, particularly in environments where legacy dos applications are not required. System administrators should implement robust monitoring for suspicious process creation patterns and memory access anomalies that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security assessments should verify that systems are properly patched and that legacy compatibility features are appropriately configured. Additionally, endpoint detection and response solutions should be configured to detect anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.