CVE-2016-0079 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in Microsoft 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."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0079 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within the Windows kernel implementation across multiple Windows 10 versions including Gold, 1511, and 1607. This issue stems from improper handling of registry access permissions within kernel space, creating an avenue for malicious applications to elevate their privileges from standard user level to system level. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a crafted application invokes certain API calls that interact with sensitive registry keys, allowing unauthorized access to kernel-level information that should remain protected from user-mode processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the kernel's registry access mechanisms to bypass normal security controls that typically prevent user-mode applications from accessing protected system resources. When the vulnerable API calls are made, they fail to properly validate access permissions or enforce proper security boundaries between user and kernel modes. This creates a pathway where malicious code can read sensitive registry entries that contain critical system information, potentially including security descriptors, access control lists, or other kernel metadata that can be used to escalate privileges. The flaw operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring network connectivity or user interaction beyond executing the malicious application.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local attackers who already have user-level access to escalate their privileges to SYSTEM level, which provides complete control over the affected system. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation as attackers can then modify system files, install malicious software, disable security features, or extract sensitive data from the system. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows 10 releases, making it particularly concerning for organizations with diverse deployment environments. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under CWE-264, which specifically addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls in kernel-level components, highlighting the fundamental security flaw in how the kernel manages registry access permissions.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires local system access and involves crafting a malicious application that specifically targets the vulnerable API functions. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and T1059, covering the execution of malicious code through various application interfaces. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who have already established a foothold on a system through other means, such as phishing attacks or social engineering, and then leverage this kernel-level flaw to gain complete system control. Organizations should note that this vulnerability does not require network exposure, making it particularly stealthy and difficult to detect through traditional network-based security monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0079 primarily focus on applying Microsoft security patches that address the kernel registry access validation issues. Microsoft released security updates through their regular monthly patch Tuesday releases, specifically addressing this vulnerability in the affected Windows 10 versions. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment and implement additional security measures such as restricting user privileges, enabling kernel-mode code integrity checks, and monitoring for suspicious registry access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and highlights the need for proper access control mechanisms in kernel-level operations, particularly when dealing with sensitive system information that should remain protected from user-mode applications.