CVE-2017-0170 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows Performance Monitor in 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, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows a information disclosure vulnerability due to the way it parses XML input, aka "Windows Performance Monitor Information Disclosure Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0170 resides within Windows Performance Monitor, a system component designed to collect and display performance data from various system resources. This flaw affects multiple Windows operating systems including server and client versions, creating a significant information disclosure risk across a broad attack surface. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the Performance Monitor processes XML input data, which is commonly used for configuration and data exchange within the Windows performance monitoring ecosystem.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the XML parsing mechanism used by Windows Performance Monitor. When processing malformed XML data, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, allowing an attacker to craft specially crafted XML files that can trigger unexpected behavior in the parsing routine. This improper handling creates a condition where sensitive system information can be inadvertently exposed to unauthorized users or processes. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082 for system information discovery, as it enables adversaries to extract potentially sensitive data from the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can provide attackers with insights into system configurations, performance data, and potentially other sensitive metadata that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by tricking users into opening malicious XML files through social engineering or by compromising systems where Performance Monitor is automatically processing XML data from untrusted sources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects widely deployed operating systems and can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised network shares.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0170 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft Security Updates, as the vendor has released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional protective measures such as restricting user privileges when running Performance Monitor, implementing strict file access controls for XML configuration files, and monitoring for unusual Performance Monitor activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can further reduce the attack surface by limiting access to systems running Performance Monitor. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in system components that process external data, reinforcing the need for comprehensive security testing and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent similar issues in other system components.