CVE-2015-0095 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
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 allow local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and blue screen), or obtain sensitive information from kernel memory and possibly bypass the ASLR protection mechanism, via a crafted application, aka "Microsoft Windows Kernel Memory Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-0095 represents a critical flaw in the kernel-mode drivers of multiple Microsoft Windows operating systems including server and client versions from Windows Server 2003 through Windows 8.1. This issue stems from improper validation of input parameters within kernel components that handle memory operations, creating a pathway for malicious code to manipulate kernel execution flow. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows kernel's memory management subsystem where certain driver routines fail to properly validate pointer references, leading to potential exploitation scenarios that can compromise system integrity and security mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs when kernel-mode drivers process crafted input from user-mode applications. When the vulnerable drivers encounter malformed or specially constructed data, they attempt to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized or allocated, resulting in system crashes or blue screen of death conditions. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities. The exploitation mechanism allows attackers to trigger kernel memory corruption through carefully crafted applications that manipulate driver interfaces, potentially leading to system instability and denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to include serious security implications such as information disclosure from kernel memory regions. Attackers can potentially extract sensitive data from kernel memory spaces that contain critical system information, including credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential data that should remain protected from user-mode access. The vulnerability also presents a risk to address space layout randomization protection mechanisms, which are designed to prevent exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities by randomizing memory layout. When ASLR bypass occurs, attackers gain significant advantages in subsequent exploitation attempts, as they can more easily predict memory locations and execute successful code injection attacks against the target system.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0095 require immediate implementation of Microsoft security updates and patches that address the underlying kernel driver vulnerabilities. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the relevant security bulletins from Microsoft, which include fixes for the specific driver components that exhibit the NULL pointer dereference behavior. Additionally, implementing defensive measures such as disabling unnecessary kernel drivers, restricting user privileges, and monitoring for suspicious kernel-mode activity can help reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the critical nature of kernel security in operating system protection mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection solutions and memory corruption detection tools that can help identify and prevent exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities in the kernel subsystem.