CVE-2017-11762 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Microsoft Graphics Component on 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 allows a remote code execution vulnerability in the way it handles specially crafted embedded fonts, aka "Microsoft Graphics Remote Code Execution Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-11763.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2021
The Microsoft Graphics Component vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11762 represents a critical remote code execution flaw that affects multiple Windows operating system versions. This vulnerability specifically targets the graphics rendering subsystem's handling of embedded fonts, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw exists within the way Windows processes font data, particularly when encountering specially crafted embedded fonts that contain malicious code structures. The vulnerability impacts a broad range of Microsoft 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 versions 1511, 1607, and 1703, as well as Windows Server 2016.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the graphics component's font parsing mechanism. When a user opens or previews a specially crafted document containing malicious embedded fonts, the graphics component attempts to render these fonts without proper sanitization of the font data. This allows an attacker to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the current user, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious documents, making it exploitable in both targeted and mass attack scenarios. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in input validation that leads to code execution, specifically categorized under CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11762 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with a reliable method for establishing persistent access to vulnerable systems. The vulnerability's exploitation typically results in privilege escalation and system compromise, allowing threat actors to deploy additional malware, establish backdoors, or conduct further reconnaissance activities. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability is particularly concerning due to its widespread impact across multiple Windows versions and its ability to be exploited through common attack vectors such as phishing emails and malicious web content. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) highlights its potential for abuse in advanced persistent threat campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems through Microsoft's security updates, specifically addressing the graphics component's font handling routines. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect suspicious font-related activity, while also deploying email filtering solutions that can identify potentially malicious documents containing embedded fonts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction through opening malicious documents, making user education and awareness programs crucial components of the overall defense strategy. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and disabling unnecessary font rendering capabilities in web browsers and email clients can significantly reduce the attack surface for this vulnerability.