CVE-2013-3862 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 SP1 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted service description that is not properly handled by services.exe in the Service Control Manager (SCM), aka "Service Control Manager Double Free Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The CVE-2013-3862 vulnerability represents a critical double free condition within the Windows Service Control Manager component that affects Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 systems. This flaw exists in the services.exe process which is responsible for managing system services through the Service Control Manager interface. The vulnerability arises when the SCM processes a maliciously crafted service description that contains malformed data structures, leading to improper memory management handling. According to CWE-464, this vulnerability falls under the category of improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation, specifically manifesting as a double free error that occurs when the same memory block is freed twice during the service description processing.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves a local attacker who can manipulate the service description parameter passed to the SCM through the CreateService or ChangeServiceConfig functions. When services.exe processes this malformed service description, it fails to properly validate the input data structure, causing the memory management routines to attempt to free the same memory location twice. This double free condition creates a memory corruption scenario that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation issue under the ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage system-level flaws to gain higher-level access rights. The flaw essentially allows a low-privilege user to manipulate the service management subsystem and potentially execute malicious code with SYSTEM privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3862 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it represents a fundamental flaw in Windows service management architecture that could be leveraged for broader system compromise. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain complete control over the affected system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, persistence mechanisms, or further network reconnaissance. The vulnerability affects the core Windows service management functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited to disable critical security services or install backdoors. From a security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in system-level components, as even minor flaws in service handling can result in complete system compromise. The exploitability requires local access but provides significant privilege escalation potential, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to Windows environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3862 primarily focus on applying the official Microsoft security updates and patches that address the memory management flaw in the Service Control Manager. System administrators should ensure that Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 SP1 systems are updated with the latest security patches, particularly those released in the July 2013 security update bulletin. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and limiting local user privileges can reduce the attack surface for exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual service management activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of application whitelisting and runtime protection mechanisms that can prevent malicious service installations. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar memory corruption issues in their Windows environments, as the underlying architectural flaw in service management represents a broader class of vulnerabilities that require ongoing attention and monitoring.