CVE-2015-2519 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in 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 Integer Overflow RCE Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2519 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Microsoft Windows Journal component that affects multiple operating system versions including Vista SP2 through Windows 10. This vulnerability resides in the way Windows Journal processes .jnt files, which are the native file format used by the Windows Journal application for storing digital notes and annotations. The integer overflow occurs during the parsing of maliciously crafted .jnt files, creating a condition where an attacker can manipulate the memory allocation process to trigger arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the Windows Journal application's file parsing routine. When processing specially crafted .jnt files, the application fails to properly validate integer values used for buffer allocation and memory management. This oversight allows attackers to craft malicious files that cause integer overflow conditions, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to gain control over the affected system. The flaw specifically manifests when the application attempts to calculate buffer sizes or array indices based on data extracted from the malicious file, where integer overflow results in insufficient memory allocation or incorrect memory access patterns.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to enterprise environments as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening a malicious file. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because Windows Journal is often pre-installed on Windows systems and may be encountered through various attack scenarios including email attachments, web downloads, or removable media. The vulnerability's impact spans across multiple Windows versions, making it a widespread concern that affects both desktop and server environments. The integer overflow condition can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to full system compromise and lateral movement within network environments.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. This vulnerability also maps to CWE-190 - Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which specifically addresses the improper handling of integer values that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. Organizations should consider implementing the principle of least privilege and ensuring that Windows Journal functionality is disabled or restricted on systems where it is not required. The recommended mitigation strategies include applying Microsoft security patches, implementing application whitelisting policies, and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns can further reduce the attack surface and provide early detection capabilities for potential exploitation attempts.