CVE-2016-0048 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10 Gold and 1511 allow local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0048 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Windows kernel-mode drivers, specifically affecting multiple versions of the microsoft windows operating system. This issue resides in the win32k.sys driver component which manages user interface elements and graphics rendering in the windows kernel space. The vulnerability allows local attackers with standard user privileges to execute malicious code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing the operating system's security model and potentially enabling complete system compromise.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation within the win32k.sys driver when processing certain graphics-related API calls. Attackers can craft malicious applications that exploit this weakness by sending specially formatted parameters to kernel-mode functions that handle user interface operations. The vulnerability is classified as a heap-based buffer overflow or memory corruption issue that occurs when the driver fails to properly validate the size and content of user-supplied data before processing it in kernel memory space. This type of flaw typically falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow or CWE-787 for out-of-bounds write conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching across the affected windows platforms, including vista sp2, windows server 2008 sp2 and r2 sp1, windows 7 sp1, windows 8.1, windows server 2012 gold and r2, windows rt 8.1, and windows 10 gold and 1511. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest privilege level, access all system resources, install malware, modify system files, and potentially establish persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges to exploit, making it an attractive target for attackers who can execute code on a target system through social engineering or other initial compromise methods.
This vulnerability aligns with several attack patterns defined in the mitre attack framework, particularly the privilege escalation techniques and the use of kernel-mode exploits to gain administrative access. The attack chain typically involves a user-level process triggering the vulnerable driver function through graphics API calls, which then leads to kernel memory corruption and privilege elevation. Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant risk as it can be exploited by malware that initially gains access through phishing, drive-by downloads, or other user interaction-based attack vectors. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no special user privileges to trigger, making it a preferred target for malware authors seeking to establish persistent access to compromised systems.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security update kb3135173 and subsequent patches released in march 2016. The mitigation strategy involves applying the appropriate security patches and updates as soon as possible, along with implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, restricted user privileges, and monitoring for suspicious kernel-mode activity. System administrators should prioritize patching across all affected windows versions, particularly in enterprise environments where the risk of exploitation is higher due to the increased attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of kernel-mode security and the critical need for proper input validation and memory management in operating system components that handle user-supplied data in privileged contexts.