CVE-2017-0274 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Server Message Block 1.0 (SMBv1) allows an information disclosure vulnerability in the way that 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 handles certain requests, aka "Windows SMB Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-0267, CVE-2017-0268, CVE-2017-0270, CVE-2017-0271, CVE-2017-0275, and CVE-2017-0276.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0274 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Server Message Block version 1.0 protocol implementation across multiple Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically affects 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, as well as Windows Server 2016. The flaw manifests in the manner Microsoft Windows handles certain SMBv1 requests, creating an avenue for unauthorized information disclosure that could potentially expose sensitive system data to attackers. This vulnerability operates at the protocol level, leveraging the inherent design characteristics of SMBv1 to create information leakage conditions that compromise system security posture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through malformed SMBv1 requests that trigger memory corruption or improper handling of specific data structures within the Windows SMB server implementation. When processing these specially crafted requests, the Windows SMB server fails to properly validate input parameters or maintain proper memory boundaries, resulting in information disclosure. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which deals with information exposure, and specifically relates to improper handling of input validation in network protocols. Attackers can potentially leverage this weakness to extract memory contents, including potentially sensitive information such as credentials, system configuration details, or other confidential data that might be accessible through memory dumps or response data. The attack vector requires network access to the target system and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where SMB services are exposed.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0274 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for further exploitation and reconnaissance activities. Systems affected by this vulnerability may inadvertently reveal system internals, memory layouts, or other sensitive data that could aid in developing more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Windows versions indicates a widespread exposure risk, particularly in enterprise environments where legacy SMBv1 implementations remain active. Organizations running these affected systems face increased risk of credential theft, system reconnaissance, and potential privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution risk through information disclosure means that attackers can use the leaked information to craft more targeted attacks against the compromised systems. This information leakage capability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005, which involves data from local system discovery, and T1082, which covers system information discovery.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0274 primarily focus on disabling or restricting SMBv1 protocol usage, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Microsoft recommends disabling SMBv1 across all affected systems through Group Policy settings or registry modifications, since SMBv1 is considered inherently insecure and has been deprecated in favor of SMBv2 and SMBv3 protocols. Organizations should implement network segmentation to prevent unauthorized access to systems running SMB services and ensure that all systems are patched with the relevant security updates released by Microsoft. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious SMBv1 traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, disabling unnecessary SMB shares, and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all systems helps reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with industry best practices for protocol security and emphasizes the importance of deprecating legacy protocols that pose inherent security risks, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including NIST SP 800-128 and ISO/IEC 27001 security controls.