CVE-2015-2514 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-2015-2513 and CVE-2015-2530.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2514 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft Windows Journal, a document annotation and note-taking application that was included with various Windows operating systems from Vista through Windows 10. This vulnerability specifically affects Windows Journal's handling of crafted .jnt files, which are the native file format used by the application for storing handwritten notes, drawings, and annotations. The flaw exists in the way Windows Journal parses and processes these files, creating an opportunity for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring any user interaction beyond opening the malicious file.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper input validation and memory handling within Windows Journal's file parsing routines. When the application encounters a specially crafted .jnt file, the malformed data triggers a buffer overflow or heap corruption condition that allows an attacker to manipulate the execution flow of the process. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The flaw operates at the application level rather than the operating system level, making it particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious file sharing.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2514 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within compromised environments. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically PowerShell, and the T1068 technique for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can potentially escalate privileges to SYSTEM level, deploy additional malware, establish persistence mechanisms, or use the compromised system as a launch point for lateral movement throughout the network. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Windows versions, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple operating system versions may coexist.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2514 should include immediate patching of affected systems through Microsoft's regular security updates, as well as implementing network-based controls to prevent the execution of .jnt files from untrusted sources. Organizations should consider disabling Windows Journal entirely on systems where it is not required, particularly in high-security environments. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can help prevent execution of malicious .jnt files, while network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file transfers or downloads. Additionally, users should be trained to avoid opening email attachments or downloading files from untrusted sources, as social engineering remains one of the most common attack vectors for exploiting this type of vulnerability. Security teams should also implement regular vulnerability assessments to identify systems running outdated versions of Windows Journal and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.