CVE-2017-0213 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows COM Aggregate Marshaler in Microsoft 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, and 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows an elevation privilege vulnerability when an attacker runs a specially crafted application, aka "Windows COM Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-0214.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2024
The Windows COM Aggregate Marshaler vulnerability represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw that affects multiple versions of the Windows operating system including server and client variants. This vulnerability resides within the Component Object Model (COM) infrastructure, specifically within the aggregate marshaler functionality that handles object aggregation and cross-process communication. The flaw enables attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level through carefully crafted malicious applications, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated access rights. The vulnerability was identified as CVE-2017-0213 and operates distinct from other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2017-0214, indicating a unique code path and exploitation methodology.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of object aggregation within the COM framework, specifically when the marshaler processes aggregated objects during inter-process communication scenarios. When a malicious application attempts to manipulate COM objects through aggregate marshaler functions, the system fails to properly validate the security context of the calling process, allowing unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges. This flaw manifests when the system processes COM aggregate objects that contain maliciously crafted data structures or method calls that bypass normal security checks. The vulnerability specifically affects the way the COM infrastructure handles object references and method dispatching when objects are aggregated, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks that leverage the system's trust in legitimate COM operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can gain system-level privileges without requiring administrative credentials, effectively bypassing standard user access controls and security boundaries. This capability allows for persistent access, data exfiltration, and further lateral movement within a network. The vulnerability affects systems running 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, and 1703, and Windows Server 2016, representing a broad attack surface across multiple Windows versions. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond executing a specially crafted application, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently run malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying Microsoft security patches and implementing additional security controls. The most effective immediate solution involves installing the relevant security updates released by Microsoft to address the specific COM aggregate marshaler flaw. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized applications, particularly those that might attempt to manipulate COM objects. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation by reducing the attack surface. Additionally, implementing monitoring and detection capabilities that can identify suspicious COM object manipulation activities or unusual privilege escalation attempts provides valuable defense-in-depth measures. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can detect anomalous COM activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.