CVE-2015-1677 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-2015-1676, CVE-2015-1678, CVE-2015-1679, and CVE-2015-1680.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1677 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Windows kernel-mode drivers that specifically targets the Address Space Layout Randomization protection mechanism. This vulnerability affects a broad range of Microsoft operating systems 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. The flaw operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by local attackers to circumvent fundamental memory protection mechanisms that are designed to prevent exploitation techniques such as return-oriented programming and other advanced attack vectors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted function call that allows attackers to disclose kernel memory addresses, effectively bypassing ASLR protections that are critical for maintaining system security. This memory disclosure vulnerability specifically targets the kernel-mode drivers that handle system-level operations, enabling attackers to obtain information about memory layout that would normally be randomized and protected. The flaw operates by manipulating the kernel's memory management functions to reveal addresses of system components, which can then be used to plan more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which deals with Information Exposure, and represents a significant weakening of the security model that Microsoft has implemented to protect against various exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1677 is substantial as it allows local attackers with minimal privileges to gain information that would normally be protected by ASLR, thereby undermining the effectiveness of multiple security mitigations. Attackers can use the disclosed memory addresses to craft more effective exploits that might otherwise be blocked by modern security mechanisms. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that rely on ASLR as a primary defense mechanism, making it especially dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple security layers are expected to provide comprehensive protection. The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must already have access to the system, but the impact can be severe as it enables more sophisticated attacks that could potentially escalate privileges or compromise the entire system.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the critical nature of kernel-level protections in modern operating systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates, monitoring for suspicious local activity, and ensuring that systems are not running outdated versions of affected software. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security monitoring that can detect unusual memory access patterns and function call sequences that might indicate exploitation attempts. This particular vulnerability is closely related to other memory disclosure vulnerabilities in the same CVE family, suggesting that attackers may be using similar exploitation techniques across multiple vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework classification for this vulnerability would include techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, particularly focusing on the use of system-level information gathering to bypass security protections. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel-mode code integrity checking and enhanced monitoring of kernel-level activities to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.