CVE-2013-3200 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The USB drivers in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Windows RT allow physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code by connecting a crafted USB device, aka "Windows USB Descriptor Vulnerability."
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2021
The Windows USB descriptor vulnerability represents a critical kernel-mode security flaw that affects multiple versions of the microsoft windows operating system. This vulnerability resides within the kernel-mode drivers responsible for handling usb device connections and descriptor processing. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes crafted usb device descriptors that contain malformed or malicious data structures. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges simply by connecting a specially crafted usb device to a target system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only physical proximity to the target device, making it an attractive attack vector for social engineering campaigns or direct physical access attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the usb driver subsystem. When a usb device is connected to a vulnerable system, the kernel-mode drivers parse the device descriptors to understand the device capabilities and functionality. The flaw occurs during this parsing process where the drivers fail to properly validate the length and structure of usb descriptors. This allows attackers to craft usb devices that contain oversized or malformed descriptor fields that cause buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions when processed by the kernel drivers. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow according to the common weakness enumeration catalog, specifically falling under the category of improper input validation and memory safety issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution capabilities. Since the exploit operates at kernel level, successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise without user interaction or elevated privileges. The attack requires only physical access to connect the malicious usb device, which makes it particularly concerning for environments where physical security is not adequately enforced. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install rootkits, modify system files, establish persistent backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the compromised system. The vulnerability affects a broad range of windows operating systems including legacy versions like windows xp and server 2003, as well as more recent releases, demonstrating the persistence of this particular flaw in microsoft's usb driver implementation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term architectural improvements. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that included enhanced input validation for usb descriptors and improved memory management within the kernel-mode drivers. Organizations should implement usb device whitelisting policies to restrict which devices can connect to critical systems, particularly in environments where physical security cannot be guaranteed. The use of usb device control software can help monitor and restrict access to usb ports, preventing unauthorized devices from being connected. From an operational security perspective, maintaining up-to-date system patches and implementing the principle of least privilege significantly reduces the risk exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in kernel-mode components and aligns with the attack technique described in the attack tree framework where physical access is leveraged to achieve remote code execution. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing device driver signature enforcement and disabling unnecessary usb functionality on systems where physical security is a concern.