CVE-2017-0164 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability exists in Windows 10 1607 and Windows Server 2016 Active Directory when an authenticated attacker sends malicious search queries, aka "Active Directory Denial of Service Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2020
The CVE-2017-0164 vulnerability represents a critical denial of service flaw within Microsoft Windows Active Directory services that affects Windows 10 version 1607 and Windows Server 2016 systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the Active Directory Domain Services component and operates through authenticated attack vectors, meaning that an adversary must first establish valid credentials to exploit the weakness. The flaw manifests when malicious search queries are submitted to the Active Directory service, causing the system to become unresponsive and effectively denying legitimate users access to directory services. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-400, which encompasses weaknesses related to resource exhaustion, specifically demonstrating how improper input validation can lead to system instability. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service, where adversaries leverage system vulnerabilities to disrupt legitimate service availability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of search parameters within the Active Directory query processing engine. When an authenticated user submits specially crafted search queries containing malformed or excessively complex parameters, the system's directory service component fails to properly handle these inputs, leading to resource exhaustion or stack overflow conditions. The vulnerability exploits the way Active Directory processes LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) search operations, particularly when handling recursive or deeply nested queries that consume excessive system resources. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to cause the Active Directory service to consume all available memory or processing power, resulting in complete service disruption. This type of vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input sanitization and proper resource management in enterprise directory services, as outlined in Microsoft security best practices and the OWASP Top Ten security principles.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0164 extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise entire enterprise network operations. When Active Directory services become unavailable, organizations face cascading effects including inability to authenticate users, access network resources, or perform essential administrative functions. The vulnerability's authenticated nature means that even limited user accounts could potentially cause significant disruption, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privilege escalation is possible. Organizations relying on Active Directory for identity management, group policy enforcement, and network access control face substantial business continuity risks when this vulnerability is exploited. The impact is amplified in large enterprise environments where Active Directory serves as the central authentication hub for thousands of users and systems. This vulnerability specifically affects the core infrastructure components that support enterprise security operations, making it a high-priority target for attackers seeking to disrupt business operations or create opportunities for additional attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0164 require immediate implementation of Microsoft security patches as part of the organization's vulnerability management process. Microsoft released security update MS17-010 in March 2017 to address this vulnerability, which should be deployed across all affected Windows 10 1607 and Windows Server 2016 systems. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact by restricting which users can submit search queries to Active Directory services. Implementing query filtering and resource limiting mechanisms can provide additional protection against malformed search requests. Organizations should also monitor Active Directory logs for unusual search patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of maintaining current security patches and implementing proper security monitoring as recommended in NIST SP 800-53 security controls. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of Active Directory service resilience against resource exhaustion attacks, ensuring that defense-in-depth strategies are properly implemented to protect critical enterprise infrastructure.