CVE-2017-0289 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Graphics 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, and Windows Server 2016 allows improper disclosure of memory contents, aka "Windows Graphics Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-0286, CVE-2017-0287, CVE-2017-0288, CVE-2017-8531, CVE-2017-8532, and CVE-2017-8533.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2020
The Windows Graphics Information Disclosure Vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0289 represents a critical memory disclosure flaw affecting multiple Microsoft Windows operating systems 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 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and is specifically categorized as a CWE-200 weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration system, which encompasses issues where sensitive information is unintentionally exposed to unauthorized actors. The flaw resides within the graphics subsystem of these operating systems, particularly affecting how graphical components handle memory management and data processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory structures within the Windows graphics rendering pipeline. When processing certain graphics operations, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize memory access patterns, potentially allowing malicious code to read memory contents that should remain protected or confidential. This improper memory handling creates a pathway for attackers to extract sensitive information from the system's memory space, including potentially privileged data, user credentials, or application secrets that should be isolated from unauthorized access. The vulnerability specifically impacts the graphics processing unit and related components that handle graphical data, making it particularly concerning for systems that process complex visual content or have extensive graphical user interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0289 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gather intelligence that may lead to more sophisticated attacks. An adversary exploiting this vulnerability could potentially extract memory contents that reveal application structures, system configurations, or sensitive data that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. The vulnerability's presence across such a wide range of Windows versions makes it particularly dangerous, as it affects both legacy systems and newer releases, creating a broad attack surface. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 which involves data from local system, and T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could use the extracted information to plan more targeted approaches. The memory disclosure could potentially expose credentials, encryption keys, or other sensitive data that would normally be protected by memory access controls and privilege separation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0289 should focus on applying Microsoft security updates and patches immediately, as the vulnerability was addressed through official Microsoft security bulletins. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected Windows versions, particularly in enterprise environments where the risk of exploitation is higher. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable systems, monitoring for unusual memory access patterns, and applying application whitelisting controls to prevent exploitation through malicious graphics processing. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in graphics subsystems and memory management, as recommended by industry standards such as the CERT Secure Coding Standards and the OWASP Top Ten. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions and ensure that all Windows systems are maintained with current security updates to prevent exploitation of this memory disclosure vulnerability.