CVE-2017-0258 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Windows kernel 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, 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows authenticated attackers to obtain sensitive information via a specially crafted document, aka "Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-0175, CVE-2017-0220, and CVE-2017-0259.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0258 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows kernel component that affects multiple versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the kernel mode drivers and subsystems that handle document processing, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to extract sensitive system information. The flaw resides in how the Windows kernel processes certain document formats, particularly those that leverage the Windows Template Library or COM objects for rendering and parsing operations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious documents that trigger specific kernel code paths, leading to unauthorized information leakage from system memory. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level, where the most sensitive system data resides, including memory addresses, kernel structures, and potentially credential information that could be used for further exploitation. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a significant risk to system integrity and confidentiality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of document parsing routines within the Windows kernel that handle various file formats including but not limited to office documents, PDF files, and other structured data formats. When a specially crafted document is processed by the kernel's document handling subsystem, the malformed data triggers an unintended code path that results in memory disclosure. The vulnerability typically manifests when the kernel attempts to parse or render document elements that contain crafted malicious data structures, causing the system to expose kernel memory contents through various error handling mechanisms or memory access violations. This information disclosure can reveal critical system information such as stack contents, heap addresses, kernel base addresses, and other sensitive memory locations that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. The vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" and T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" when combined with other attack vectors. The kernel's failure to properly validate input data during document processing creates a predictable information leak that can be systematically exploited by attackers with minimal privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0258 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked kernel memory can provide attackers with crucial information needed for more sophisticated attacks. The exposed memory addresses and kernel structures can be used to bypass security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention, making subsequent exploitation attempts more successful. Attackers can leverage this information to craft more effective buffer overflow exploits or use the leaked addresses to predict kernel memory layouts for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where authenticated users might have access to systems that process various document types, as the information disclosure can occur without requiring administrator privileges. Organizations running affected Windows versions are at risk of advanced persistent threats that could use this information to establish persistent access or escalate privileges to system level. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a broad range of Windows operating systems, from legacy server versions to newer client operating systems, making it a widespread concern across various deployment scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0258 primarily focus on applying Microsoft's security patches and updates that address the kernel memory handling flaws in the document processing components. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the relevant security updates released by Microsoft as part of their regular patch management procedures. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact of exploitation by reducing the number of systems that can be targeted through document processing vulnerabilities. Security administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of potentially malicious documents, particularly in environments where users might process untrusted content. Monitoring for unusual document processing activity and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns consistent with exploitation attempts can provide early warning of potential attacks. The vulnerability's classification as a kernel-level information disclosure makes it particularly important to maintain up-to-date system images and avoid running legacy operating systems without proper security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing comprehensive security awareness training for users to reduce the likelihood of encountering malicious documents that could trigger this vulnerability. The mitigation approach should align with the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for reducing the attack surface and improving system resilience against information disclosure attacks.