CVE-2015-2374 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Netlogon service in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2 and R2 SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, and Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2 does not properly implement domain-controller communication, which allows remote attackers to discover credentials by leveraging certain PDC access and spoofing the BDC role in a PDC communication channel, aka "Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability in Netlogon."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2374 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Windows Server implementations that affects domain controller communication protocols. This vulnerability specifically targets the Netlogon service which is fundamental to Windows Active Directory authentication mechanisms. The flaw exists in Windows Server 2003 SP2 and R2 SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, as well as Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2 versions, making it a widespread issue across multiple server generations. The vulnerability stems from improper implementation of domain controller communication protocols that should normally ensure secure authentication and credential handling between primary domain controllers and backup domain controllers.
The technical implementation flaw allows remote attackers to exploit weaknesses in the Netlogon authentication protocol by leveraging access to the Primary Domain Controller (PDC) role and subsequently spoofing the Backup Domain Controller (BDC) role within the PDC communication channel. This manipulation enables attackers to capture authentication credentials during the Netlogon communication process, effectively bypassing normal security controls. The vulnerability operates at the protocol level where the authentication challenge-response mechanism fails to properly validate the authenticity of communicating domain controllers, allowing malicious actors to intercept and potentially reuse valid credentials. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication mechanisms, and represents a classic example of how insufficient cryptographic validation can lead to credential exposure.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2374 is severe as it enables attackers to achieve elevation of privilege without requiring local system access or prior authentication. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to obtain domain administrator credentials that can be used to gain full control over entire Active Directory domains. This means that a single successful exploitation can compromise all systems within the domain, as domain credentials are typically valid across all domain-joined systems. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely over the network, requiring only access to the PDC role to establish the initial foothold. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through legitimate credentials, making it a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying Microsoft security patches that address the Netlogon authentication protocol implementation. The recommended approach involves enabling the Netlogon secure channel enforcement which requires domain controllers to authenticate each other using secure channels before accepting authentication requests. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to domain controller roles, monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, and ensuring that only authorized systems have access to the PDC role. Network-based detection should focus on identifying unauthorized Netlogon communication attempts and credential relay activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface of critical authentication services. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify systems vulnerable to this attack and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts.