CVE-2015-1719 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2 and R2 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 obtain sensitive information from kernel memory via a crafted application, aka "Microsoft Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw in the kernel-mode drivers of multiple Microsoft Windows operating systems spanning from Windows Server 2003 through Windows 8.1. The issue arises from insufficient validation of input parameters within kernel-level components that handle memory operations, allowing malicious applications to craft specific requests that can read arbitrary kernel memory locations. The vulnerability is classified as a kernel-mode information disclosure, which fundamentally undermines the security model of the operating system by exposing sensitive data that should remain protected within the kernel space.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper handling of memory access operations within kernel-mode drivers that process user-mode requests. When a crafted application submits specific inputs to these drivers, the kernel fails to properly validate the memory access parameters, enabling the application to read memory contents that should be restricted to kernel-level operations only. This allows local attackers to extract sensitive information including system pointers, kernel data structures, and potentially credential material that could be used for privilege escalation or further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses normal user-mode security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations running affected Windows versions, as it provides attackers with the capability to gather detailed information about the kernel memory layout and system internals. This information disclosure can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation techniques that leverage the leaked memory addresses to bypass security mitigations such as address space layout randomization. The vulnerability affects a broad range of systems including enterprise servers and desktop operating systems, making it a widespread concern for security administrators. According to the attack pattern taxonomy, this vulnerability aligns with the information disclosure category under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to techniques involving system information discovery and privilege escalation.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires local access to the target system, as it cannot be remotely triggered. However, the impact remains severe since local attackers can leverage the information disclosure to craft more effective attacks against the system. Organizations should prioritize applying Microsoft security updates that address this vulnerability, particularly since the affected systems have reached end-of-life support status, making them more vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of kernel-mode security validation and proper input sanitization in operating system components, as it demonstrates how insufficient validation can lead to complete system compromise. Security practitioners should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement additional monitoring for unusual memory access patterns in kernel space.