CVE-2017-0300 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The 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 an authenticated attacker to obtain information via a specially crafted application. aka "Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-8491, CVE-2017-8490, CVE-2017-8489, CVE-2017-8488, CVE-2017-8485, CVE-2017-8483, CVE-2017-8482, CVE-2017-8481, CVE-2017-8480, CVE-2017-8478, CVE-2017-8479, CVE-2017-8476, CVE-2017-8474, CVE-2017-8469, CVE-2017-8462, CVE-2017-0299, and CVE-2017-0297.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows kernel operating system components that affects multiple versions 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, and Windows Server 2016. The vulnerability specifically allows authenticated attackers to extract sensitive information from the kernel memory space through a specially crafted application, creating potential pathways for further exploitation. The flaw operates at the kernel level where privilege escalation and information gathering capabilities could be leveraged by malicious actors who have already established a foothold on the system. This vulnerability is distinct from several other related issues including CVE-2017-8491 through CVE-2017-0297, indicating it represents a unique code path or implementation flaw within the kernel subsystem.
The technical mechanism behind this information disclosure vulnerability stems from improper handling of kernel memory structures during certain operations, allowing an authenticated user to craft malicious applications that can read kernel memory contents without proper authorization. This type of vulnerability typically involves memory corruption or improper access control mechanisms that enable attackers to bypass kernel security boundaries. The flaw likely resides in kernel drivers or system call handlers that fail to properly validate input parameters or maintain proper memory isolation between user and kernel space operations. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would fall under CWE-200 Information Exposure, representing a fundamental breakdown in information security controls. The attack vector requires local authentication, meaning an attacker must already have valid user credentials to exploit this vulnerability, which reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked kernel information could provide attackers with insights into system memory layout, kernel function addresses, and other sensitive operational details that could be used to facilitate more sophisticated attacks. This information could aid in developing exploits for other vulnerabilities or in bypassing security mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and kernel address space layout randomization. The vulnerability affects systems running on both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where these operating systems are widely deployed. Organizations using these affected versions face potential risks including privilege escalation, system compromise, and data exfiltration attacks that could leverage the leaked kernel information to target other system components or exploit additional vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the official Microsoft security updates and patches that address the specific kernel memory handling flaw. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7 versions, which are end-of-life but still in use within many organizations. Additional defensive measures include implementing least privilege principles, monitoring for suspicious application behavior, and maintaining up-to-date security information and event management systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, while regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning can identify systems that may be running unsupported versions of the affected operating systems. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how information disclosure vulnerabilities can serve as stepping stones for broader system compromise attacks.