CVE-2015-2472 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) in Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) through 8.1 in Microsoft 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 does not properly verify certificates, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof clients via a crafted certificate with valid Issuer and Serial Number fields, aka "Remote Desktop Session Host Spoofing Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2022
The CVE-2015-2472 vulnerability represents a critical certificate verification flaw within Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Protocol implementations that affects a broad range of operating systems including Windows Vista SP2 through Windows 8.1 and their respective server variants. This vulnerability specifically targets the Remote Desktop Session Host component which is responsible for establishing and managing remote desktop connections. The flaw resides in the certificate validation process where the system fails to properly verify the authenticity of certificates presented during RDP authentication, creating a significant security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient certificate validation mechanisms within the RDP implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting a malicious certificate that contains valid Issuer and Serial Number fields but does not properly validate the certificate chain or trust relationships. This allows adversaries to perform man-in-the-middle attacks where they can intercept and potentially manipulate RDP connections between legitimate clients and servers. The vulnerability essentially permits certificate spoofing attacks where attackers can present forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable RDP implementation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2472 is substantial as it undermines the fundamental security assurances provided by certificate-based authentication in remote desktop environments. Organizations that rely on RDP for administrative access become vulnerable to unauthorized access attempts where attackers can establish fraudulent connections that appear legitimate to the target system. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where RDP is commonly used for remote administration and support activities, creating potential pathways for lateral movement within networks and unauthorized access to sensitive systems. The risk is amplified because the attack can occur without requiring additional privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" and relates to the broader category of certificate-based authentication weaknesses. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through network sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks, potentially enabling adversaries to escalate privileges and maintain persistent access to target systems. The vulnerability also intersects with defense evasion techniques where attackers can manipulate authentication processes to avoid detection while establishing unauthorized connections.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2472 primarily involve applying Microsoft security patches and updates that address the certificate validation flaw in RDP implementations. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit RDP access to trusted networks and establish strict access controls for RDP services. Additional measures include implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous RDP traffic patterns and configuring strong certificate management practices that include proper certificate chain validation. Network administrators should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for RDP access and regularly audit RDP usage to identify potential unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies for remote access services.