CVE-2015-1678 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-2015-1677, CVE-2015-1679, and CVE-2015-1680.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-1678 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Windows kernel-mode drivers that specifically targets the Address Space Layout Randomization protection mechanism. This issue affects a broad range of Windows operating systems including server and client versions from Windows Server 2003 through Windows 8.1, making it one of the most widespread memory protection bypass vulnerabilities of its time. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, which means it can potentially be exploited to undermine fundamental security features that protect against various attack vectors including buffer overflows and arbitrary code execution.
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 enables attackers to bypass the memory layout randomization that is designed to prevent exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities by making it difficult to predict where specific code or data segments will be located in memory. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the kernel space where privileges are elevated, potentially allowing attackers to gather information that could be used to exploit other vulnerabilities or to craft more sophisticated attacks against the system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations running affected Windows versions as it provides attackers with the ability to map out memory layouts and potentially correlate this information with other vulnerabilities. The fact that this vulnerability is distinct from other related CVEs (CVE-2015-1676, CVE-2015-1677, CVE-2015-1679, and CVE-2015-1680) indicates that it represents a unique exploitation pathway that requires specific mitigation approaches. The local user requirement means that an attacker must first gain access to the system, but once inside, they can leverage this vulnerability to enhance their exploitation capabilities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Disclosure) and represents a specific instance of memory disclosure that undermines ASLR protections, which are classified under CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) and related memory safety issues. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) as attackers can use the information disclosure to better understand system memory structures. The vulnerability demonstrates how kernel-level flaws can be leveraged to create information gathering capabilities that significantly enhance an attacker's ability to perform more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that modified how kernel-mode drivers handle function calls and memory access patterns, effectively preventing the information disclosure that enabled ASLR bypass. Organizations should prioritize applying these patches and consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel mode protection mechanisms and monitoring for unusual function call patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of kernel-level security and the need for comprehensive protection mechanisms that defend against both direct exploitation attempts and information gathering activities that can be used to enhance subsequent attacks.