CVE-2013-3880 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The App Container feature in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Windows RT allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and obtain sensitive information from a different container via a Trojan horse application, aka "App Container Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2021
The CVE-2013-3880 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft's App Container implementation within kernel-mode drivers of Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Windows RT operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the containerization mechanism designed to isolate applications and prevent unauthorized access to system resources. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit a weakness in the container access controls, allowing them to bypass intended security boundaries and gain access to sensitive information residing within different application containers. The vulnerability is classified as an elevation of privilege issue, meaning that an attacker with minimal privileges could potentially escalate their access rights to gain unauthorized system-level access.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper implementation of container access controls within the kernel-mode drivers responsible for managing App Container functionality. When an application runs within an App Container, it should be restricted from accessing resources belonging to other containers or the host system. However, the flaw in the kernel driver implementation allows for a Trojan horse application to exploit a race condition or improper validation mechanism that permits cross-container information disclosure. This weakness creates a path for attackers to manipulate the container isolation boundaries and access data that should remain protected within separate security contexts. The vulnerability specifically affects the kernel-mode components that enforce container security policies, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the core level of the operating system's security architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3880 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental failure in the application container security model that Microsoft implemented to protect system integrity. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive data from other applications running in different containers, potentially obtaining credentials, personal information, or system configuration details. This could lead to cascading security breaches where an attacker gains access to multiple applications and their associated data, effectively breaking down the security isolation that containers are designed to provide. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Windows systems are connected to networks and exposed to external threats. The flaw essentially undermines the entire purpose of containerization as a security mechanism, potentially allowing attackers to move laterally within a network and escalate privileges to gain unauthorized administrative access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3880 should focus on immediate patch deployment and implementation of additional security controls to protect against exploitation. Microsoft released security updates that addressed the kernel-mode driver vulnerability, and system administrators should prioritize applying these patches across all affected Windows systems. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around container access patterns and information disclosure events. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges, and CWE-284 which addresses improper access control mechanisms. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict application whitelisting policies, monitoring container activity for unusual access patterns, and ensuring that only trusted applications are allowed to run within containerized environments. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential containerization-related weaknesses and maintain updated threat intelligence to detect similar exploitation patterns in the broader threat landscape.