CVE-2017-0284 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Uniscribe in 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, Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Office 2007 SP3, and Microsoft Office 2010 SP2 allows improper disclosure of memory contents, aka "Windows Uniscribe Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-0282, CVE-2017-0285, and CVE-2017-8534.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0284 resides within the Uniscribe text processing engine component of Microsoft Windows operating systems and Office applications. This flaw affects a broad range of Microsoft products including 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 versions from Gold through 1703, Windows Server 2016, as well as Microsoft Office 2007 SP3 and Office 2010 SP2. The vulnerability specifically impacts the way Uniscribe handles memory management during text processing operations, creating a potential information disclosure scenario that could expose sensitive data stored in memory regions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory boundaries within the Uniscribe component when processing certain text inputs. This flaw represents a memory corruption issue that allows attackers to potentially read memory contents that should remain protected or private. The vulnerability manifests when the text processing engine fails to properly validate or sanitize input data, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and potentially CWE-20: "Improper Input Validation" as the root cause involves inadequate validation of text processing parameters that could lead to memory access violations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0284 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could potentially enable attackers to extract sensitive data from memory spaces that contain confidential information such as encryption keys, passwords, or other protected credentials. The vulnerability's widespread presence across multiple Windows versions and Office applications makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where these systems are commonly deployed. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through various attack vectors including malicious documents, web content, or crafted text inputs that trigger the problematic Uniscribe processing path. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" suggests potential exploitation through script-based attacks that manipulate text processing functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying Microsoft security updates and patches that address the memory handling issues within the Uniscribe component. Organizations should prioritize patch management across all affected systems, particularly focusing on the Windows versions mentioned in the CVE description. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual text processing activities or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature as a memory disclosure issue also suggests that implementing Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP) mechanisms can provide additional protective layers against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure all affected systems remain properly patched and monitored for potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific Uniscribe memory handling flaw.