CVE-2015-1676 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 bypass the ASLR protection mechanism via a crafted function call, aka "Microsoft Windows Kernel Memory Disclosure Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-1677, CVE-2015-1678, CVE-2015-1679, and CVE-2015-1680.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Windows kernel-mode drivers that specifically targets the Address Space Layout Randomization protection mechanism. The issue affects a broad range of Windows operating systems including server and client versions from Windows Server 2003 through Windows 8.1, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple system versions may coexist. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, which means it can potentially be exploited to bypass fundamental memory protection mechanisms that are designed to prevent attackers from gaining unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical flaw manifests through a crafted function call that allows local users to obtain memory addresses that would normally be randomized by ASLR protection. This memory disclosure capability effectively undermines the security benefits of ASLR by revealing the base addresses of system components, thereby enabling attackers to predict memory layouts and potentially exploit other vulnerabilities in the system. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and specifically relates to improper neutralization of special elements in the kernel mode, which is a critical weakness in the system's memory management architecture. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068 (Local Port Forwarding) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it enables privilege escalation and information gathering activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with the information necessary to bypass modern exploit mitigations that rely on memory address randomization. When combined with other vulnerabilities, this memory disclosure can enable attackers to perform more sophisticated attacks such as return-oriented programming (ROP) chain construction or direct memory manipulation. The fact that this vulnerability affects both server and client operating systems means that organizations cannot rely on the assumption that their server environments are isolated from client-based attacks. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to gain information about the memory layout of running processes, which could then be leveraged to craft more effective exploits against other components of the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive patch management procedures across all affected systems, as Microsoft has released security updates to address the issue. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the relevant security patches and consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel-mode exploit protection, memory protection software, and monitoring for unusual function call patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security configurations and ensuring that all systems are running the latest security updates to prevent exploitation of similar kernel-level vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability primarily affects local users who already have access to the system.