CVE-2015-2513 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows Journal 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, Windows RT Gold and 8.1, and Windows 10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .jnt file, aka "Windows Journal RCE Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2514 and CVE-2015-2530.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-2513 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Windows Journal, a legacy document editing application that was included with various Microsoft Windows operating systems from Vista through Windows 10. This vulnerability specifically affects systems running Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT Gold and 8.1, and Windows 10. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems simply by enticing victims to open a specially crafted .jnt file, which represents a significant security risk given the widespread deployment of these operating systems across enterprise and consumer environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory corruption issues within the Windows Journal application's handling of malformed .jnt files. When a user opens a crafted file, the application fails to properly validate the file structure and content, leading to buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions that can be exploited to gain control of the affected system. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which encompasses 'Stack-based Buffer Overflow' conditions, and may also exhibit characteristics of CWE-122, 'Heap-based Buffer Overflow', depending on the specific implementation details of the memory corruption mechanism. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves manipulating the file format to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the logged-on user.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2513 is substantial, as Windows Journal was pre-installed on numerous Windows systems and often used for legitimate document creation and annotation tasks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through various attack vectors including email attachments, malicious websites, or file-sharing networks where users might unknowingly open compromised .jnt files. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with external content. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203, 'Exploitation for Client Execution', and T1059, 'Command and Scripting Interpreter', as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems. The potential for privilege escalation exists if the victim has elevated privileges, and the attack can result in full system compromise, data theft, or deployment of additional malware.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching through Microsoft's security updates, as the company released patches for all affected versions of Windows. Organizations should also implement restrictive file execution policies, particularly for .jnt files, and consider disabling Windows Journal entirely on systems where it is not required for business operations. Network-based mitigations can include filtering .jnt files at email gateways and web proxies to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious files. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening unknown or unexpected files is crucial, as social engineering remains a common initial attack vector for such vulnerabilities. System administrators should also monitor for suspicious file access patterns and consider implementing application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of unauthorized code. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that organizations must treat it with high priority and implement layered security controls to protect against exploitation attempts.