CVE-2015-2474 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows Vista SP2 and Server 2008 SP2 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted string in a Server Message Block (SMB) server error-logging action, aka "Server Message Block Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2024
The CVE-2015-2474 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 operating systems that enables remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems. This vulnerability specifically manifests within the Server Message Block protocol implementation, which is fundamental to file sharing and network communication in Windows environments. The flaw occurs during SMB server error-logging operations when processing crafted string inputs, creating a condition where memory corruption can be exploited to gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it requires only authenticated access to the network, meaning that an attacker with valid credentials can leverage this flaw to escalate privileges and potentially compromise entire networks. This represents a classic example of a buffer overflow vulnerability that falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious SMB server error messages containing specially formatted strings that trigger memory corruption when processed by the affected Windows systems. When the vulnerable SMB server attempts to log these error messages, the malformed input causes memory corruption that can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow. Attackers can leverage this condition to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the compromised service account, typically resulting in system compromise and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's nature aligns with ATT&CK technique T1075, which covers the use of legitimate credentials for lateral movement, as the attack requires only valid authentication to the SMB service. Network-based attacks can be particularly devastating since SMB is a widely used protocol for file sharing and system administration, making this vulnerability attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to enterprise environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2474 extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass broader network security implications. Organizations running affected Windows versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and data exfiltration, particularly in environments where SMB is heavily utilized for file sharing operations. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, enabling attackers to establish persistent backdoors, deploy additional malware, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks against other network resources. Security professionals must consider the vulnerability's relationship to other SMB-related exploits and the potential for chained attacks that leverage multiple vulnerabilities to achieve more comprehensive system control. The flaw's presence in widely deployed server operating systems makes it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where Windows Server 2008 SP2 continues to be in use, despite Microsoft's end-of-life status for these platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2474 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary recommendation involves applying Microsoft security patches and updates that specifically address this vulnerability, though organizations with legacy systems may need to implement additional protective measures. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit SMB traffic exposure and reduce attack surface. Implementing SMBv2 and SMBv3 protocols with proper encryption can help mitigate exploitation attempts, as these newer versions include enhanced security features that protect against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying suspicious SMB traffic patterns and monitoring for exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable operating systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and the necessity of transitioning away from unsupported operating systems to reduce exposure to known exploits.