CVE-2016-7258 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in Microsoft Windows 10 Gold, 1511, and 1607 and Windows Server 2016 mishandles page-fault system calls, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information from arbitrary processes via a crafted application, aka "Windows Kernel Memory Address Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7258 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows kernel's handling of page-fault system calls. This vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10 Gold, 1511, and 1607 releases along with Windows Server 2016. The core issue lies in how the kernel processes memory management operations during page fault conditions, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to extract sensitive memory addresses from other processes running on the same system.
The technical flaw manifests when the kernel fails to properly validate or sanitize memory addresses during page-fault handling operations. This improper handling allows a local attacker with a crafted application to perform memory reads that should normally be restricted by the kernel's memory protection mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the kernel's memory management subsystem where page faults occur when processes attempt to access memory locations that are not currently mapped into their virtual address space. Through careful manipulation of page-fault conditions, an attacker can exploit this weakness to disclose kernel memory addresses that should remain confidential.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local privilege escalation and information gathering capabilities that can significantly compromise system security. An attacker with local access can leverage this flaw to obtain memory addresses of running processes, potentially revealing kernel structures, memory layout information, and other sensitive data that could be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability essentially provides a means to bypass kernel memory protection mechanisms, allowing for the extraction of information that could aid in developing more sophisticated attacks against the system. This information disclosure can serve as a foundation for advanced exploitation techniques including privilege escalation, process injection, or even remote code execution in combination with other vulnerabilities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper handling of sensitive information, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. This flaw particularly affects the system's integrity and confidentiality by exposing kernel memory structures that should remain protected. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through kernel memory management updates that properly validate page-fault conditions and prevent unauthorized memory address disclosure. Organizations should implement the relevant security patches and updates provided by Microsoft to mitigate this risk, while also monitoring for potential exploitation attempts that might leverage this vulnerability for further system compromise. The remediation process requires system administrators to apply the appropriate Windows updates and security patches to ensure that the kernel's page-fault handling mechanisms operate correctly and maintain proper memory isolation between processes.