CVE-2015-0011 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
mrxdav.sys (aka the WebDAV driver) in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1 allows local users to bypass an impersonation protection mechanism, and obtain privileges for redirection of WebDAV requests, via a crafted application, aka "WebDAV Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
The CVE-2015-0011 vulnerability represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw in Microsoft Windows operating systems that affects multiple versions including Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the mrxdav.sys kernel-mode driver component, which is responsible for handling WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning) requests within the Windows operating system. The flaw resides in the impersonation protection mechanisms that are designed to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation by ensuring that kernel-mode drivers properly validate the security context of incoming requests. The vulnerability allows local attackers to bypass these critical security protections through a crafted application that can manipulate the WebDAV redirection process to gain elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of security contexts within the WebDAV driver's kernel-mode code. When a WebDAV request is processed, the driver should verify that the requesting user has appropriate permissions and that the impersonation level is correctly maintained throughout the operation. However, the flaw allows an attacker to craft a malicious application that can manipulate the driver's behavior to redirect WebDAV requests in a way that bypasses the normal security checks. This occurs because the kernel-mode driver fails to properly validate the security context when processing certain WebDAV operations, allowing a local user to potentially impersonate higher-privileged accounts or gain access to resources that should be restricted. The vulnerability specifically affects the impersonation protection mechanisms that are part of Windows' security model, which are designed to prevent privilege escalation attacks by ensuring that kernel-mode code cannot arbitrarily elevate its privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0011 is significant as it enables local users to achieve privilege escalation from standard user level to system-level access, which provides complete control over the affected system. Once successfully exploited, an attacker can gain the ability to install programs, modify system files, create new user accounts, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistence mechanisms within the compromised system. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can be leveraged for further attacks including lateral movement within a network or to establish a foothold for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects systems where WebDAV functionality is enabled, which is common in enterprise environments where file sharing and collaboration services are utilized, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to corporate networks.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that corrected the impersonation protection mechanisms within the WebDAV driver. The fix involved strengthening the validation of security contexts and ensuring that the driver properly enforces the security model when processing WebDAV requests. Organizations should apply these security updates immediately to protect their systems from exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which describes improper privilege management, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including disabling unnecessary WebDAV functionality, monitoring for suspicious process activity, and ensuring that only authorized users have access to systems that may be vulnerable to this type of attack. Given the widespread nature of affected Windows versions, comprehensive patch management programs should be implemented across all systems to prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the risks associated with kernel-mode vulnerabilities that can be exploited to achieve complete system compromise.