CVE-2015-2417 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-2015-2416.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2022
The CVE-2015-2417 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 handling embedded objects within documents and applications. The flaw allows remote attackers to escalate their privileges from Low Integrity level to Medium Integrity level, creating a significant security risk that could enable further exploitation attempts. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of privilege escalation attacks, where malicious actors can leverage system weaknesses to gain higher-level access rights than initially granted to their accounts. The issue is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely, meaning attackers do not require physical access to the target system to carry out the attack. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-264, which specifically addresses "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls" and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." The OLE component in Windows handles various file formats and embedded objects, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit system weaknesses. This vulnerability demonstrates the inherent complexity of modern operating system architectures where seemingly isolated components can create pathways for privilege escalation. The flaw enables attackers to transition from a low-integrity context to a medium-integrity context, which typically provides access to additional system resources and capabilities that are normally restricted to higher-privilege users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of OLE objects through crafted input that exploits improper validation of object creation and execution within the Windows security model. When Windows processes OLE objects embedded in files or received through network channels, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass security checks that normally enforce integrity levels. This occurs during the parsing and execution of OLE structures, where the system fails to properly validate the integrity of embedded objects before executing them. The attack typically involves creating specially crafted documents or files that contain malicious OLE objects designed to exploit the validation flaw. When these objects are processed by the Windows OLE subsystem, they can trigger code execution with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation requires that the target system processes the malicious OLE content, which can occur through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or network file shares. The specific nature of the flaw relates to how Windows handles object instantiation and execution contexts, particularly when dealing with objects that may originate from untrusted sources. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered automatically when users open documents, making it difficult to defend against through user education alone.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2417 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within compromised systems. Once an attacker successfully elevates privileges from Low to Medium Integrity level, they gain access to additional system resources that can be leveraged for further exploitation, including access to registry keys, file system resources, and network capabilities. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target systems without requiring physical presence or local access, making it particularly attractive for large-scale attacks. Organizations running affected versions of Windows are at risk of complete system compromise, as the elevation of privileges provides attackers with the ability to install malware, modify system configurations, and access sensitive data. The vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for attackers to move laterally within networks, as medium-integrity processes often have access to network resources and can be used to pivot to other systems. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple systems are connected and may share common network resources or authentication mechanisms. The attack surface for this vulnerability includes any system that processes OLE content, which encompasses a wide range of applications and file types, making it challenging to fully mitigate without comprehensive system hardening.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to protect against exploitation of CVE-2015-2417, beginning with immediate patch deployment for all affected systems. Microsoft released security updates that address this vulnerability, and organizations must ensure these patches are deployed across all affected Windows versions to prevent exploitation. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that user accounts operate at the minimum required integrity level to perform their functions. Additional mitigations include disabling OLE automation features where possible, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for suspicious OLE-related activities in system logs. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to exploit this vulnerability through unusual file processing patterns or privilege escalation activities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems that may not have received the necessary patches. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-264 and its mapping to ATT&CK technique T1068 emphasize the need for comprehensive security controls that address both the immediate threat and potential follow-on attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious OLE content before it can be processed by the vulnerable system components. The remediation process requires careful testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to prevent potential compatibility issues with existing applications or system configurations.