CVE-2017-0259 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Windows kernel in Microsoft Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 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-2017-0258.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The Windows kernel vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0259 represents a critical information disclosure flaw that affects multiple Microsoft Windows operating systems including Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, and various Windows 10 versions along with Windows Server 2016. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure attacks where authenticated adversaries can exploit kernel-level weaknesses to extract sensitive system data. The flaw specifically manifests when processing specially crafted documents, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users interact with untrusted file content. The vulnerability is classified as a kernel-mode information disclosure issue that enables attackers to access memory contents that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The technical exploitation mechanism of CVE-2017-0259 involves a buffer overread condition within the Windows kernel's document processing routines. When the kernel encounters a malformed document structure, it fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to memory access beyond intended boundaries. This flaw is categorized as CWE-125, which represents an out-of-bounds read vulnerability, allowing attackers to potentially retrieve sensitive information from adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation can provide attackers with access to system memory regions containing critical data such as encryption keys, credentials, or other confidential information. The attack requires an authenticated user context, but the privilege escalation potential remains significant given the kernel-level nature of the flaw.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0259 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the sensitive data potentially accessible through this vulnerability can be leveraged for further attacks within the compromised system. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can obtain memory contents that may include cryptographic keys, user credentials, or system configuration details that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within a network. This vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the information disclosure tactics, particularly affecting system information discovery and credential access phases. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Windows versions indicates a widespread exposure that could impact enterprise environments, government agencies, and organizations with legacy systems running affected operating systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0259 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vulnerability was addressed in the July 2017 security bulletin. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and maintain comprehensive monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or information disclosure attempts. System administrators should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected Windows versions and ensure timely patch management. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of kernel-level security controls and proper input validation mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted documents and establish robust incident response procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations with systems that cannot be immediately patched should consider implementing network-based protections and enhanced monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior associated with information disclosure attacks.