CVE-2016-0073 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in Microsoft Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10 Gold, 1511, and 1607 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application that makes an API call to access sensitive information in the registry, aka "Windows Kernel Local Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0075.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw in Microsoft Windows kernel components affecting multiple operating system versions including Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows RT 8.1, and various Windows 10 releases. The issue stems from improper validation of registry access permissions within kernel-level API calls, allowing malicious applications to bypass normal security restrictions and access sensitive registry keys that should be protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a crafted application invokes kernel APIs that handle registry operations without adequate permission checking mechanisms. This flaw falls under the CWE-264 category of "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes local privilege escalation through kernel vulnerabilities. The registry access violation occurs at the kernel level where the system fails to properly enforce access control lists and security descriptors that govern registry key permissions. Attackers can exploit this weakness to read or modify critical system registry entries containing sensitive configuration data, authentication credentials, or security policies that would normally be restricted to system-level processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it enables attackers to manipulate core system settings and potentially establish persistent access to compromised systems. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows local users to elevate their privileges from standard user level to system administrator level, providing complete control over the affected system. The attack vector requires local system access and involves crafting a malicious application that can make specific kernel API calls to trigger the registry access violation. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where the operating system's security model is fundamentally compromised, enabling attackers to bypass standard security boundaries and access system resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability affects the Windows kernel's registry handling subsystem, specifically the ntoskrnl.exe component that manages kernel-level registry operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the primary fix involves correcting the kernel's registry access control validation logic. System administrators should implement the principle of least privilege by limiting user account permissions and disabling unnecessary administrative access. Additional protective measures include enabling Windows Defender Application Control, implementing registry monitoring solutions, and conducting regular security audits to detect unauthorized registry modifications. Organizations should also consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for suspicious kernel API calls and registry access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the critical nature of kernel-level security controls in preventing local privilege escalation attacks. Network segmentation and user access controls can provide additional layers of defense, though the fundamental fix requires applying Microsoft's security patches that address the specific registry access control bypass mechanism. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the potential for kernel-level flaws to enable complete system compromise and underscores the necessity of maintaining robust security update processes across all operating system components.