CVE-2016-7292 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Installer 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 mishandles library loading, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2022
The Windows Installer vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7292 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting multiple Microsoft Windows operating systems including Vista through Windows 10 and Server 2016. This vulnerability resides within the installer component's library loading mechanism, specifically exploiting how the system handles dynamic link library (DLL) resolution during installation processes. The flaw allows local attackers with standard user privileges to elevate their access level to system-level privileges through the manipulation of library loading sequences. According to CWE-427, this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of library loading paths, creating a condition where attacker-controlled DLLs can be loaded instead of legitimate system libraries. The vulnerability operates through a classic DLL hijacking attack vector where malicious code is executed with elevated privileges due to the installer's insecure library resolution behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious application attempts to load a library that should be provided by the Windows Installer component but instead loads an attacker-controlled version from a predictable or writable location. This misconfiguration allows the attacker to place a malicious DLL in a location that gets prioritized during the library loading process, resulting in arbitrary code execution with system-level privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the installer component loads libraries without proper validation of the library path or without enforcing secure loading practices. Attackers can leverage this by creating a malicious DLL that mimics the name of a legitimate library that the installer expects to load, causing the system to execute malicious code during the installation process.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7292 is severe as it provides local attackers with a straightforward path to privilege escalation without requiring any special skills or external dependencies. Once exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to gain full system control, allowing them to install malware, modify system files, create new user accounts, or access sensitive data. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes the use of local privilege escalation techniques to gain system-level access. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Windows versions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across multiple system configurations and deployment scenarios. Organizations running affected Windows versions are at significant risk, as the attack requires minimal user interaction and can be executed silently in the background.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7292 primarily focus on applying Microsoft security patches as soon as they become available, since this vulnerability was addressed through the July 2016 security updates. System administrators should implement the principle of least privilege by ensuring users have minimal necessary permissions and avoid running applications with elevated privileges. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, monitoring for suspicious library loading activities, and conducting regular security assessments of system installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure library loading practices and proper DLL resolution mechanisms, as outlined in security best practices for Windows system hardening. Organizations should also consider implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous library loading behaviors and provide alerts when potentially malicious DLLs are loaded into system processes. Regular patch management procedures should be enforced to ensure all systems receive timely security updates and remain protected against known vulnerabilities.