CVE-2016-3334 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Common Log File System (CLFS) driver 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, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, and 1607, and Windows Server 2016 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0026, CVE-2016-3332, CVE-2016-3333, CVE-2016-3335, CVE-2016-3338, CVE-2016-3340, CVE-2016-3342, CVE-2016-3343, and CVE-2016-7184.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2022
The Windows Common Log File System CLFS driver vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that affects multiple versions of the windows operating system including vista sp2 server 2008 sp2 and r2 sp1 windows 7 sp1 windows 81 windows server 2012 gold and r2 windows rt 81 windows 10 gold 1511 and 1607 as well as windows server 2016. this vulnerability resides in the common log file system driver which is responsible for managing transactional logging operations within the windows file system. the flaw allows local attackers with standard user privileges to execute malicious code that can elevate their privileges to system level access. the vulnerability is classified as an elevation of privilege issue that enables attackers to bypass standard security controls and gain unauthorized administrative access to affected systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insufficient privilege checks within the clfs driver implementation. when a crafted application interacts with the common log file system through specific api calls or file operations the driver fails to properly validate the incoming data structures or access permissions. this allows an attacker to manipulate memory locations or manipulate the driver's internal state in ways that can result in privilege escalation. the vulnerability specifically relates to how the driver handles certain logging operations and transaction management functions that are typically used by legitimate system processes. the flaw does not require network connectivity or remote exploitation making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any local user with access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with a means to achieve system level compromise without requiring elevated privileges or complex attack vectors. once successfully exploited the attacker can execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, which allows for complete system takeover. this includes the ability to install malicious software, modify system files, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. the vulnerability affects organizations running any of the supported windows versions since the clfs driver is a core component of the operating system. organizations with multiple endpoints using these affected versions face a substantial risk of compromise, particularly in environments where users have local access to systems.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant microsoft security updates and patches that address this vulnerability. organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as user access restrictions, monitoring for suspicious clfs driver activity, and network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. the vulnerability aligns with attack techniques described in the mitre att&ck framework under privilege escalation tactics and specifically relates to techniques involving driver manipulation and kernel exploitation. organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running unsupported or unpatched versions of windows that may be affected by this and similar vulnerabilities. regular security monitoring and incident response procedures should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability in the common log file system driver.