CVE-2014-1812 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Group Policy implementation in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2 does not properly handle distribution of passwords, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive credential information and consequently gain privileges by leveraging access to the SYSVOL share, as exploited in the wild in May 2014, aka "Group Policy Preferences Password Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-1812 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Microsoft Windows Group Policy implementation that has significant implications for enterprise security environments. This weakness specifically affects multiple versions of Windows operating systems including Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of password distribution mechanisms within Group Policy Preferences, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to extract sensitive credential information that would normally remain protected.
The technical flaw manifests in how Windows processes and distributes Group Policy Preferences that contain password information through the SYSVOL share, which is a shared directory used for storing Group Policy Objects. When Group Policy Preferences are configured with passwords, the system stores these credentials in XML files within the SYSVOL directory structure. These files are accessible to authenticated users who can leverage their access to the SYSVOL share to read these password files, thereby obtaining plaintext credentials for accounts used in Group Policy Preferences. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of privilege escalation and credential theft, allowing attackers to move laterally within networks and potentially escalate their privileges to domain administrator level.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with a persistent backdoor mechanism that can be exploited across multiple systems within a domain environment. The vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild during May 2014, demonstrating its real-world threat potential and the sophistication of attackers who recognized its value for maintaining access to compromised networks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, perform reconnaissance, and conduct further attacks within the compromised domain infrastructure. The exploitation requires only authenticated access to the network, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers who have gained initial access through other means.
The security implications of CVE-2014-1812 align with CWE-200, which describes "Information Exposure," and the attack pattern maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1547.001 for Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including disabling Group Policy Preferences that contain passwords, removing the vulnerable XML files from SYSVOL shares, and implementing proper access controls for SYSVOL directories. Microsoft released patches for this vulnerability through security updates, and organizations should ensure all systems are properly updated. Additionally, network segmentation, monitoring of SYSVOL access patterns, and regular security audits of Group Policy configurations should be implemented to prevent exploitation and detect potential compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper credential management and access control in enterprise environments, demonstrating how seemingly routine administrative features can create significant security risks when not properly configured or secured.