CVE-2015-0089 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Font Driver 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 remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from kernel memory, and possibly bypass the KASLR protection mechanism, via a crafted font, aka "Adobe Font Driver Information Disclosure Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-0087.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2022
The CVE-2015-0089 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Adobe Font Driver component of Microsoft Windows operating systems, affecting a broad range of platforms including Windows Server 2003 through Windows 8.1 and their respective service packs. This vulnerability specifically targets the font processing functionality that handles Adobe Font Driver files, creating a pathway for remote attackers to extract sensitive kernel memory contents. The flaw operates through a crafted malicious font file that, when processed by the vulnerable system, triggers unintended memory disclosure behavior, potentially exposing critical system information that could be leveraged for further exploitation.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper input validation within the Adobe Font Driver implementation, which fails to properly sanitize font data before processing. When a malicious font file is loaded, the driver's parsing routine does not adequately protect against buffer overflows or memory access violations that could lead to information leakage from kernel space. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and specifically relates to improper handling of font data structures that can result in unauthorized memory access. The flaw is particularly concerning because it can potentially bypass Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization KASLR, a critical security mitigation designed to prevent attackers from determining kernel memory addresses.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0089 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked kernel memory information can provide attackers with detailed insights into system memory layout, kernel function addresses, and potentially sensitive data structures. This information can be leveraged to facilitate more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation attempts, kernel exploitation, or bypassing other security mechanisms. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can trigger the information disclosure without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of font processing systems and how seemingly benign file formats can contain dangerous code execution paths that can be exploited across multiple Windows versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0089 focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Microsoft released security updates that addressed the vulnerability by fixing the font processing logic in the Adobe Font Driver component, and organizations should ensure all affected systems receive these patches immediately. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict file type validation for font files, disabling unnecessary font processing capabilities, and monitoring for suspicious font file usage patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving information gathering and privilege escalation, as the initial information disclosure can be used to prepare more sophisticated attacks. Network administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict font file execution, particularly in high-security environments where the risk of exploitation is elevated.