CVE-2016-0169 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
GDI 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 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted document, aka "Windows Graphics Component Information Disclosure Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0168.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0169 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Graphics Device Interface component of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability affects a broad range of Microsoft products including 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 versions. The flaw resides in how the Windows Graphics Component handles certain crafted documents, creating an avenue for remote attackers to extract sensitive information from affected systems.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper handling of graphics objects within the GDI subsystem when processing maliciously crafted documents. When a user opens or previews a specially constructed document containing malformed graphics data, the GDI component fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to information leakage through memory corruption or improper data handling. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to sensitive data disclosure. The flaw operates at the kernel level graphics processing, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring local system access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious documents through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing systems. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can potentially compromise systems from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly attractive for targeted attacks. The information disclosure aspect could potentially expose system memory contents, including potentially sensitive data such as encryption keys, user credentials, or system configuration details. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 which addresses exploit for privilege escalation, as the initial information disclosure could lead to more sophisticated attacks.
The exploitation of CVE-2016-0169 requires minimal user interaction, typically involving the mere opening of a malicious document that triggers the vulnerable GDI processing path. This makes it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or targeted social engineering attacks where users are诱导 to open seemingly legitimate documents. Organizations should note that the vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions, necessitating comprehensive patch management strategies across their entire infrastructure. The information disclosure could potentially enable attackers to gather intelligence about system configurations, memory layouts, or other sensitive information that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that improved input validation within the GDI subsystem, specifically enhancing the graphics component's ability to properly handle malformed graphics objects and prevent memory leakage. The mitigation strategy emphasizes the importance of timely patch deployment and maintaining up-to-date security measures to protect against similar vulnerabilities in the graphics processing pipeline of Windows operating systems.