CVE-2015-5465 in WindowsXP Display Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Silicon Integrated Systems WindowsXP Display Manager (aka VGA Driver Manager and VGA Display Manager) 6.14.10.3930 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted (1) 0x96002400 or (2) 0x96002404 IOCTL call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5465 affects the Silicon Integrated Systems Windows XP Display Manager component, specifically the VGA Driver Manager and VGA Display Manager versions 6.14.10.3930. This represents a local privilege escalation vulnerability that exploits weaknesses in the kernel-mode driver handling of specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) commands. The affected system components operate at the kernel level within the Windows operating system, making them critical points of attack for malicious actors seeking to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative privileges. The vulnerability exists in the device driver's implementation of the Windows Driver Framework, where improper validation of IOCTL parameters allows for arbitrary code execution with kernel-level privileges.
The technical flaw manifests through two specific IOCTL command codes, 0x96002400 and 0x96002404, which are processed by the display manager driver. These commands are typically used for communication between user-mode applications and kernel-mode drivers, but the driver fails to properly validate input parameters or perform adequate bounds checking on the data structures passed through these interfaces. When a local user crafts malicious input data for these IOCTL calls, the driver processes the commands without sufficient validation, leading to potential buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other exploitable conditions that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, specifically when the driver processes user-supplied data through these IOCTL interfaces without proper bounds checking mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for systems running affected versions of the Silicon Integrated Systems VGA drivers, particularly in enterprise environments where Windows XP systems may still be operational despite the end-of-life status of the operating system. Local attackers who already have user-level access to a system can exploit this vulnerability to gain SYSTEM-level privileges, enabling them to bypass normal access controls, install malicious software, modify system files, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The attack vector requires local system access but does not need network connectivity or remote exploitation capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access is possible or where attackers have already compromised user accounts. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the exploitation of legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system access, and T1059, which covers the use of command and scripting interpreters for execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5465 should focus on immediate patching of the affected driver components, as the vendor has released updated versions that properly validate IOCTL parameters and address the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should prioritize updating the VGA Display Manager drivers to versions that have been verified to contain the necessary security fixes. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, administrators can implement additional security controls such as disabling unnecessary driver interfaces, restricting local user access through group policy configurations, and monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity through endpoint detection and response solutions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in kernel-mode drivers and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of device drivers, particularly those handling user-supplied data through IOCTL interfaces. System administrators should also consider implementing privilege separation mechanisms and monitoring for unauthorized driver installations that might indicate attempts to exploit similar vulnerabilities in other system components.