CVE-2016-7237 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) 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 remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (system hang) via a crafted request, aka "Local Security Authority Subsystem Service Denial of Service Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7237 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service component of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability affects a broad 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 LSASS service plays a fundamental role in Windows security infrastructure by handling authentication requests and managing security policies, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective. The flaw allows remote authenticated users to trigger a system hang through the submission of a crafted request, effectively rendering the targeted system unavailable to legitimate users.
The technical mechanism underlying this vulnerability involves improper input validation within the LSASS service implementation. When the service receives a specially crafted request, it fails to properly handle the malformed data, leading to a condition where the service becomes unresponsive and the entire system may hang or freeze. This behavior stems from insufficient bounds checking and error handling within the service's request processing logic. The vulnerability operates at the system level rather than at the application level, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect the core security infrastructure of the operating system. The attack vector requires that the attacker already possess valid authentication credentials, which means the vulnerability is not exploitable by anonymous users but can be leveraged by compromised accounts or insider threats.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromising the availability of critical systems within enterprise environments. When the LSASS service becomes unresponsive, it affects the entire authentication infrastructure, potentially preventing legitimate users from accessing system resources and services. This denial of service condition can persist until the system is manually restarted or the service is manually recovered, creating significant operational disruption. Organizations relying on Windows-based infrastructure may experience cascading effects where the unavailability of authentication services impacts other dependent services and applications. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where LSASS is critical for maintaining security policies and user access controls, making it a serious concern for enterprise security operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7237 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Microsoft has released security updates and patches to address this vulnerability, which organizations must deploy promptly to protect their systems. System administrators should ensure that all affected Windows versions receive the appropriate security updates from Microsoft, particularly those related to the LSASS service and authentication subsystem. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of this vulnerability by restricting unauthorized access to systems that might be exploited. Monitoring and alerting systems should be configured to detect unusual LSASS service behavior or authentication request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege and maintaining strict access controls can reduce the risk of authenticated attackers leveraging this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and respond to potential exploitation attempts targeting the LSASS service, as this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the service execution and privilege escalation domains. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" and represents a classic example of how insufficient error handling in critical system components can lead to significant availability impacts.