CVE-2016-0176 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
dxgkrnl.sys in the DirectX Graphics kernel subsystem in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10 Gold and 1511 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Microsoft DirectX Graphics Kernel Subsystem Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0176 resides within the dxgkrnl.sys component of Microsoft Windows operating systems, specifically affecting the DirectX Graphics kernel subsystem that operates in kernel-mode driver context. This flaw represents a critical elevation of privilege vulnerability that enables local attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to SYSTEM level access, thereby gaining complete control over the affected system. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10, making it particularly widespread across the Windows ecosystem. The issue stems from improper validation of input parameters within the kernel-mode driver that handles DirectX graphics operations, creating a pathway for malicious code execution with elevated privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a memory corruption flaw within the DirectX kernel driver implementation where insufficient bounds checking or validation occurs when processing graphics-related commands submitted by user-mode applications. Attackers can craft malicious applications that exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted graphics commands through the DirectX API that trigger buffer overflows or other memory manipulation scenarios within the dxgkrnl.sys driver. This kernel-mode exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest privilege level available within the Windows operating system, effectively bypassing standard user access controls and security boundaries. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-known category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to privilege escalation when present in kernel-mode components.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0176 is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities without requiring any network connectivity or remote access. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute code at the kernel level, enabling them to install malicious software, modify system files, create new user accounts, disable security features, and access all system resources including sensitive data and network connections. The attack vector requires only local system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may have legitimate access to systems but could potentially be compromised through social engineering or other means. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes the use of local privilege escalation techniques, and specifically targets the privilege escalation phase of the attack lifecycle.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the official Microsoft security patches released in the February 2016 Microsoft Security Update Bulletin MS16-016. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches across all affected Windows versions to remediate the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing defense-in-depth measures such as restricting local user access to systems, disabling unnecessary graphics services, and monitoring for suspicious kernel-mode activity can help reduce the attack surface. System administrators should also consider implementing Application Control policies to restrict execution of untrusted graphics applications and employ endpoint detection and response solutions that can detect anomalous kernel-mode behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems that may not have received the necessary patches, while maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to recognize potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.