CVE-2016-0153 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
OLE in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT 8.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted file, aka "Windows OLE Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0153 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) component of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability affects a broad range of Windows versions including Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT 8.1. The flaw resides in how Windows processes OLE objects, specifically when handling crafted files that contain malicious OLE structures. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-125, which represents an out-of-bounds read condition, indicating that the system attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated bounds during OLE processing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a user opens or previews a specially crafted file that contains malicious OLE content. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the OLE automation subsystem, where the system fails to properly validate the bounds of data structures when processing embedded objects. Attackers can craft files that contain malformed OLE data structures that trigger buffer overflows or out-of-bounds memory access conditions, allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user. This mechanism aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the use of malicious OLE objects to execute code remotely, and represents a classic example of a remote code execution vulnerability that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching across enterprise environments, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems without requiring authentication or physical access. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious code in the context of the current user, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within networks. The widespread adoption of affected Windows versions means that organizations running these systems are at significant risk, particularly in environments where users frequently open email attachments or browse untrusted websites. The vulnerability's remote exploitability makes it particularly dangerous as attackers can leverage it through various attack vectors including email phishing campaigns, malicious websites, or compromised network shares, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the Microsoft security patches released in January 2016 as part of the security update bulletin MS16-001, which specifically addresses this vulnerability. Network administrators should also deploy defensive measures such as implementing strict file validation policies, disabling OLE automation in email clients, and configuring application whitelisting to prevent execution of untrusted OLE content. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with OLE processing, and users should be educated about the risks of opening suspicious files or clicking on untrusted links. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated attacks targeting core operating system components. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.