CVE-2015-2550 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel 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 local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Windows Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Windows kernel operating system, affecting multiple versions from Windows vista through Windows 10. The issue stems from improper validation of kernel-mode operations that allows a local malicious application to manipulate kernel structures and elevate its privileges from standard user level to system level access. The vulnerability specifically resides in how the kernel handles certain privilege checks during process execution, creating an exploitable condition where unprivileged code can manipulate kernel memory or execution flow to gain administrative control. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of kernel-level privilege escalation, which is particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to bypass all user-mode security controls and gain complete system access.
The technical flaw manifests through improper kernel object validation and privilege checking mechanisms within the Windows operating system kernel. Attackers can craft malicious applications that exploit race conditions or improper access control checks during kernel operations, enabling them to manipulate kernel data structures or execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability leverages the kernel's failure to properly validate certain operations that should only be permitted to privileged processes, allowing a local user to perform actions that would normally require system-level access. This issue is classified as a kernel-mode privilege escalation vulnerability that operates at the core of the operating system's security model, making it particularly severe as it undermines fundamental security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables local attackers to achieve complete system compromise without requiring network access or complex exploitation techniques. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to install malware, modify system files, create new user accounts, disable security features, and access all system resources including encrypted data and network connections. The vulnerability affects all supported versions of Windows from vista through windows 10, making it particularly widespread and concerning for enterprise environments where multiple operating system versions may coexist. This type of vulnerability is categorized under attack techniques that involve privilege escalation and lateral movement within networks, representing a significant threat to organizational security posture and system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include applying the relevant microsoft security patches and updates that address the kernel privilege escalation flaw. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment across all affected systems and implement additional security measures such as enabling user access control and restricting local application execution. The vulnerability aligns with several attack patterns documented in the mitre att&ck framework, particularly those involving privilege escalation and persistence techniques that attackers use to maintain long-term access to compromised systems. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect suspicious kernel-level activities and ensure proper access controls are enforced through group policy configurations and security baseline implementations. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems that may not have received the necessary patches and to verify the effectiveness of implemented security controls.