CVE-2016-7295 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 obtain sensitive information from process memory via a crafted application, aka "Windows Common Log File System Driver Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2024
The CVE-2016-7295 vulnerability resides within the Common Log File System CLFS driver component of Microsoft Windows operating systems, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that affects multiple versions spanning from Windows Vista to Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the Windows operating system architecture, specifically targeting the CLFS driver responsible for managing log file structures used by various Windows components including the Windows Event Log service and other logging mechanisms. The flaw enables local attackers to extract sensitive data from process memory through carefully crafted applications, fundamentally compromising the memory isolation principles that protect operating system components from unauthorized access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation within the CLFS driver's memory handling routines, specifically when processing certain log file operations. Attackers can construct malicious applications that trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions within the CLFS driver, allowing them to read arbitrary memory locations that should normally be protected from user-mode access. This information disclosure mechanism operates through kernel-mode memory access patterns where the driver fails to properly validate memory boundaries when processing log file structures, creating a pathway for local users to access process memory contents including potentially sensitive data such as credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential information. The vulnerability manifests as a classic information disclosure flaw that aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7295 extends beyond simple information leakage, as the ability to access process memory creates potential for more sophisticated attacks within the Windows environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to discover credential information, encryption keys, or other sensitive data stored in memory, potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks or further compromise of the affected system. The vulnerability affects systems running Windows Vista SP2 through Windows 10 version 1607 and Windows Server 2016, representing a broad attack surface that includes enterprise environments where Windows operating systems are prevalent. This information disclosure capability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where multiple applications store sensitive data in memory, as it provides attackers with access to potentially valuable information that could be used for lateral movement within networks or for more targeted attacks against specific applications or services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7295 primarily involve applying Microsoft security updates and patches that address the underlying memory handling issues within the CLFS driver. Organizations should prioritize patch deployment across all affected Windows versions, particularly in enterprise environments where the vulnerability could be exploited to access sensitive system information. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting local user privileges, implementing memory protection mechanisms, and monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of kernel-level security controls and proper memory management practices in operating system design, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1063 for security software discovery, as attackers may attempt to leverage this information disclosure for further system compromise. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual process memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability represents a fundamental weakness in the Windows kernel's memory protection mechanisms that requires both immediate patching and ongoing monitoring for successful exploitation attempts.