CVE-2016-3258 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the kernel in Microsoft Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10 Gold and 1511 allows local users to bypass the Low Integrity protection mechanism and write to files by leveraging unspecified object-manager features, aka "Windows File System Security Feature Bypass."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical race condition within the Windows kernel's object manager that fundamentally undermines the system's integrity protection mechanisms. The flaw exists in the interaction between the kernel's file system security components and the object manager's handling of file operations, creating a temporal window where security checks can be bypassed. The vulnerability specifically affects Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10 Gold and 1511 versions, indicating a widespread impact across Microsoft's desktop and server operating systems. The race condition occurs during the object creation and access validation process, where the kernel fails to properly synchronize access to file objects, allowing malicious processes to exploit this temporal inconsistency.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages unspecified object-manager features that control how file objects are created and managed within the kernel. Attackers can manipulate the timing of file system operations to bypass the Low Integrity protection mechanism, which is designed to prevent processes running at lower integrity levels from accessing or modifying files that require higher security contexts. This bypass allows local users to write to files that should normally be protected, effectively elevating their privileges and compromising system security. The vulnerability's classification as a race condition aligns with CWE-362, which specifically addresses concurrent access conditions that can lead to security flaws. The underlying mechanism involves the improper handling of object references and access control checks during the file creation and modification process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables local privilege escalation without requiring elevated privileges or complex attack vectors. An attacker with standard user access can exploit this flaw to modify protected system files, potentially leading to persistent backdoors, credential theft, or complete system compromise. The bypass of Low Integrity protection mechanisms undermines the fundamental security model of Windows, which relies on process integrity levels to prevent unauthorized file access. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users share systems, as it allows a compromised low-privilege process to affect system-wide security. The attack requires careful timing and knowledge of the kernel's object management behavior, but the potential impact makes it a high-priority target for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the flaw represents a kernel-level security bypass that cannot be effectively addressed through configuration changes alone. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized file modifications and access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that traditional endpoint protection solutions may not be sufficient, requiring enhanced kernel-mode monitoring and integrity checking mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of security such as application whitelisting, mandatory access controls, and regular security audits to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1548.002, covering "Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism," making it a clear target for both privilege escalation and access control bypass attacks.