CVE-2015-2416 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
OLE 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 allows remote attackers to gain privileges via crafted input, as demonstrated by a transition from Low Integrity to Medium Integrity, aka "OLE Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2417.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2022
The CVE-2015-2416 vulnerability represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Microsoft Windows operating systems that affects multiple versions 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. This vulnerability specifically targets the Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) component of the Windows operating system, which is responsible for enabling applications to embed and link to objects from other applications. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the integrity level of processes, specifically transitioning from Low Integrity to Medium Integrity levels, thereby gaining unauthorized access to system resources and capabilities that should be restricted to higher privilege levels. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-264 as a permissions, privileges, and access control weakness, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which focuses on exploiting weaknesses in privilege escalation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted OLE input that manipulates the Windows security model during object creation and execution processes. When a user opens a specially crafted file or encounters malicious content through OLE embedding mechanisms, the vulnerability allows the attacker to bypass the normal integrity level restrictions that normally prevent processes from elevating their privilege levels. The flaw exploits the way Windows handles object instantiation and the security context associated with OLE objects, particularly when these objects are processed within applications that support OLE functionality such as Microsoft Office applications, Internet Explorer, and other software that utilizes OLE components. The transition from Low Integrity to Medium Integrity represents a significant security boundary breach, as Medium Integrity processes typically have access to more system resources, file system areas, and registry locations compared to Low Integrity processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2416 is substantial as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve privilege escalation without requiring local system access or prior authentication. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or infected removable media that triggers OLE processing when opened. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains the ability to execute code with Medium Integrity privileges, which can then be leveraged to further escalate privileges or access sensitive system information. The vulnerability affects enterprise environments significantly as it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users open malicious documents, making it particularly dangerous in corporate settings where users may inadvertently trigger the exploit. This flaw essentially undermines the Windows security model's ability to maintain process isolation and privilege boundaries, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks including full system compromise.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2015-2416. The most effective immediate mitigation involves applying the Microsoft security patch released as part of the May 2015 security updates, which specifically addresses this vulnerability by correcting the OLE processing logic and strengthening the integrity level enforcement mechanisms. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies can prevent execution of untrusted OLE objects, while disabling OLE automation services and restricting OLE object handling in web browsers and email clients can significantly reduce attack surface. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious OLE-related activity can help detect exploitation attempts, while user education regarding safe document handling practices remains crucial. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1068 emphasizes the need for comprehensive endpoint protection solutions that monitor for privilege escalation attempts and can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with integrity level transitions. Security teams should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege and regularly audit system configurations to ensure that unnecessary OLE functionality remains disabled where possible.