CVE-2016-3338 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-2016-3334, CVE-2016-3335, 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3338 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Common Log File System CLFS driver component of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability affects a wide range of Windows versions including 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, as well as Windows Server 2016. The CLFS driver is responsible for managing log files and maintaining transactional integrity for various system components, making it a critical subsystem for Windows logging operations. The vulnerability specifically resides in how the driver handles certain input parameters during file operations, creating an opportunity for malicious code to exploit improper validation mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests through improper validation of user-supplied data within the CLFS driver's kernel-mode execution context. Attackers can craft malicious applications that manipulate specific parameters passed to the CLFS driver functions, leading to memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." The vulnerability enables local users to execute code with elevated privileges, potentially allowing them to gain SYSTEM-level access to affected systems. The exploitation requires local system access but does not require network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might have legitimate local access to systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems while potentially bypassing security controls that rely on standard user privileges. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of backdoors. The widespread affected versions mean that organizations running any of these Windows operating systems are at risk, regardless of their security posture or network segmentation practices. The vulnerability's classification as an elevation of privilege issue means that it can be particularly devastating in enterprise environments where users might have local access to systems but should not have administrative rights.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3338 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security updates and patches addressing the specific CLFS driver vulnerability. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual file access patterns and privilege escalation attempts within their systems. The principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit local user access where possible, and system administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and enhanced logging of system calls. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected Windows versions and prioritize patching efforts based on risk exposure. Given that this vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions simultaneously, organizations should ensure their patch management processes are robust enough to handle widespread deployment across their infrastructure.