CVE-2016-0190 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Volume Manager Driver in Microsoft Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT 8.1 does not properly check whether RemoteFX RDP USB disk accesses originate from the user who mounted a disk, which allows local users to read arbitrary files on these disks via RemoteFX requests, aka "Remote Desktop Protocol Drive Redirection Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0190 resides within the Volume Manager Driver component of Microsoft Windows operating systems including Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT 8.1. This flaw specifically impacts the RemoteFX RDP USB disk access functionality where the system fails to properly validate the user context of RemoteFX requests. The issue manifests as an insufficient access control mechanism that allows unauthorized local users to exploit the drive redirection feature to access files on mounted disks without proper authentication or authorization. This represents a critical security gap in the Windows operating system's privilege enforcement mechanisms, particularly within the Remote Desktop Protocol implementation where user sessions and resource access should be strictly controlled. The vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure as it enables unauthorized data access through legitimate system interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the Volume Manager Driver's inadequate validation of RemoteFX requests when processing USB disk redirection. When a user mounts a disk through RemoteFX RDP sessions, the system should verify that subsequent access requests originate from the same authenticated user who performed the initial mount operation. However, the driver fails to maintain proper user context validation during the redirection process, allowing any local user to potentially access the contents of mounted disks regardless of their relationship to the original mount operation. This flaw creates a privilege escalation pathway where local users can bypass normal file system access controls by leveraging the existing RemoteFX USB disk redirection functionality. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level within the Volume Manager Driver, making it difficult to detect and exploit through conventional security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0190 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within compromised systems. Local users who can exploit this vulnerability can access sensitive data stored on mounted disks, including personal files, corporate documents, and potentially system-critical information. The attack vector requires local system access and knowledge of the RemoteFX RDP functionality, but once exploited, it can provide unauthorized access to disk contents without requiring elevated privileges or complex exploitation techniques. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where RemoteFX RDP is commonly deployed for remote desktop services and virtual desktop infrastructure implementations. Organizations utilizing Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 systems with RemoteFX enabled face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers who gain local access to systems or by malicious insiders with legitimate local user accounts. The flaw essentially undermines the principle of least privilege enforcement within the Windows file system access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0190 should focus on both immediate patch deployment and operational security enhancements. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability through regular security patches, and organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these updates across affected systems. System administrators should also consider implementing additional controls such as disabling RemoteFX RDP functionality when not required, implementing strict access controls for local user accounts, and monitoring for unusual disk access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically related to insufficient user authentication and authorization checks in system components. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access through legitimate system interfaces, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally within networks or maintain persistent access through compromised local accounts. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous RemoteFX RDP behavior and unauthorized disk access attempts to provide early warning of potential exploitation.