CVE-2017-0175 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Windows kernel in Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 SP1 allows authenticated attackers to obtain sensitive information via a specially crafted document, aka "Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-0220, CVE-2017-0258, and CVE-2017-0259.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2020
The Windows kernel vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0175 represents a critical information disclosure flaw that affects multiple Windows operating systems including Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, as well as Windows 7 SP1. This vulnerability operates through a sophisticated attack vector that requires authenticated access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privilege escalation is possible. The flaw manifests when attackers craft specially designed documents that trigger improper memory handling within the kernel, leading to the exposure of sensitive information that should remain protected within the operating system's core components. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities that can provide attackers with critical system data that may be leveraged for further exploitation. The attack requires an authenticated user context, which means that an attacker must first gain valid credentials or exploit another vulnerability to reach the point where they can execute the malicious document. The vulnerability is distinct from other related issues such as CVE-2017-0220, CVE-2017-0258, and CVE-2017-0259, indicating that Microsoft identified a unique code path that leads to this specific information disclosure scenario.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the Windows kernel's memory management subsystem, where improper handling of specially crafted document structures causes the kernel to leak information from memory regions that should remain protected. When a user opens or processes the malicious document, the kernel's handling routines fail to properly validate or sanitize the input data, resulting in memory contents being exposed through various kernel structures. This information disclosure can include sensitive kernel memory addresses, system configuration details, or other data that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability specifically targets how the kernel processes certain document formats, particularly those that may contain embedded objects or complex data structures that trigger the flawed memory handling code paths. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and memory management security practices within the Windows kernel codebase, where proper bounds checking and memory sanitization procedures are not adequately enforced during document processing operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0175 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked kernel memory information can provide attackers with critical insights into the target system's internal state and configuration. This leaked information may include stack pointers, heap addresses, kernel module base addresses, or other sensitive data that can be used to bypass security mechanisms such as address space layout randomization or other exploit mitigations. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could potentially use the disclosed information to craft more sophisticated attacks that target other system components or to perform advanced exploitation techniques that require knowledge of kernel memory layouts. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Windows Server systems are prevalent, as the information disclosure could enable attackers to perform more effective privilege escalation attacks or to develop targeted exploits against other system components. Security researchers have noted that this type of information disclosure vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more serious attacks, as it provides the attacker with the foundational knowledge needed to plan and execute more complex exploitation strategies.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates that patch the kernel memory handling routines. System administrators should prioritize patching affected Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1 systems as well as Windows 7 SP1 installations to prevent exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict document handling policies that restrict the opening of untrusted documents, particularly those with complex embedded structures or potentially malicious file formats. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual document processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also implementing application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized document processing applications. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the mitre attack framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and information gathering, where attackers leverage information disclosure vulnerabilities to gain deeper insights into target systems. Organizations should also consider implementing memory protection mechanisms such as kernel address space layout randomization and other exploit mitigations that can reduce the effectiveness of exploitation attempts even if the underlying vulnerability is not patched immediately. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper system hardening practices to prevent attackers from leveraging kernel-level flaws for information gathering and further exploitation activities.