CVE-2017-0147 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The SMBv1 server 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; and Windows 10 Gold, 1511, and 1607; and Windows Server 2016 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from process memory via a crafted packets, aka "Windows SMB Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The CVE-2017-0147 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Server Message Block version 1 protocol implementation in multiple Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically affects Windows Vista SP2 through Windows 10 version 1607, as well as Windows Server 2008 SP2, 2012, 2012 R2, and 2016. The flaw resides in the SMBv1 server component that handles network file sharing operations, making it a significant target for attackers seeking to extract sensitive data from compromised systems. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which deals with information exposure, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system, demonstrating how attackers can leverage this flaw to access process memory contents.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of crafted SMB packets sent to vulnerable systems. When an attacker sends specially crafted packets to an SMBv1 server, the protocol implementation fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to information leakage from process memory. This memory disclosure can reveal sensitive data including cryptographic keys, credentials, and other confidential information that may be stored in memory during normal system operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can potentially expose authentication tokens, session keys, and other critical security elements that could facilitate further attacks. The flaw essentially allows attackers to perform memory dumps or read arbitrary memory locations through the SMB protocol interface, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SMB is commonly used for file sharing and network communication.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0147 is substantial across enterprise networks, as SMBv1 was widely enabled by default on affected systems. Organizations running vulnerable Windows systems face significant risk of credential theft and data exposure when attackers exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to privilege escalation scenarios, especially when combined with other attack vectors, and may enable lateral movement within networks where SMB is used for file sharing. The information disclosure can compromise authentication mechanisms, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users or gain access to protected resources. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability's exploitation is relatively straightforward and can be automated, making it attractive to both sophisticated and less skilled attackers. This characteristic significantly increases the risk to organizations that have not properly secured their SMB implementations or have not disabled SMBv1 in their environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0147 primarily focus on disabling SMBv1 protocol support across affected systems, as recommended by Microsoft and cybersecurity organizations. Organizations should implement Group Policy settings to disable SMBv1 on all Windows systems and ensure that the SMBv1 server component is completely removed from network services. Network segmentation and firewall rules can be configured to block SMB traffic on ports 139 and 445, preventing external exploitation attempts. Regular patch management processes should be implemented to ensure all systems receive updates, with particular attention to the Windows updates released in March 2017 that addressed this vulnerability. Security monitoring should include detection of SMB protocol usage patterns and anomalous packet traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems still running SMBv1 and ensure that legacy applications that require SMBv1 are properly isolated and secured. The implementation of network intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for SMB-related anomalies can help identify potential exploitation attempts, while also supporting compliance with industry standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-40 and ISO 27001 for information security management.