CVE-2017-11765 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Microsoft Windows Kernel 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 an information disclosure vulnerability when it improperly handles objects in memory, aka "Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-11784, CVE-2017-11785, and CVE-2017-11814.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11765 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Microsoft Windows Kernel component that affects multiple operating system 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 Gold, 1511, 1607, and 1703, as well as Windows Server 2016. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper handling of objects in memory, creating a scenario where malicious actors can potentially extract sensitive information from system memory. The Windows Kernel serves as the core component responsible for system-level operations and memory management, making this flaw particularly dangerous as it operates at the lowest privilege level of the operating system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the kernel fails to properly validate or manage memory objects during certain operations, leading to information leakage that could expose system internals, credentials, or other sensitive data.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices within the kernel's object handling mechanisms. The flaw occurs when the Windows Kernel processes certain memory objects without proper validation checks, allowing attackers to potentially read uninitialized memory contents or access memory locations that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability is classified as a CWE-200 Information Exposure, where sensitive data is inadvertently exposed to unauthorized users or processes. The kernel's improper handling of memory objects creates opportunities for attackers to leverage this weakness through various attack vectors, including privilege escalation or further exploitation of adjacent vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's impact extends across multiple Windows versions due to shared kernel components, making it a widespread concern for organizations maintaining legacy systems. The distinction from related CVEs such as CVE-2017-11784, CVE-2017-11785, and CVE-2017-11814 indicates that while these vulnerabilities share similar attack surfaces, each represents a distinct memory handling flaw within the Windows kernel subsystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11765 poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Windows systems are prevalent, particularly affecting organizations with legacy systems running unsupported Windows versions. Attackers can potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain insights into system memory structures, which could lead to more sophisticated attacks including credential harvesting, privilege escalation, or system compromise. The information disclosure aspect means that attackers might extract sensitive data such as kernel memory addresses, system configuration details, or potentially encrypted credentials that could be used in subsequent attacks. Organizations running affected systems face elevated risk of data breaches, system infiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's presence in both client and server operating systems means that it affects not just enterprise servers but also desktop environments, creating a broad attack surface. Network-based attacks may be possible if the vulnerability can be triggered through network protocols, while local exploitation scenarios could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges on compromised systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1003.001 Credential Dumping and T1068 Local Privilege Escalation, as it provides the foundational weakness that enables these attack patterns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11765 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, which address the underlying kernel memory handling flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected Windows systems receive the necessary security updates. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, temporary mitigations include restricting user privileges, implementing network segmentation, and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or information disclosure attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems capable of identifying potential exploitation attempts targeting kernel memory vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's widespread impact across multiple Windows versions necessitates a coordinated approach to remediation, including assessment of legacy systems that may be unsupported by Microsoft. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure. Additionally, implementing robust logging and monitoring capabilities around kernel memory operations can help detect exploitation attempts and provide early warning of potential compromise. Regular security awareness training for system administrators should emphasize the critical nature of timely patch deployment and the potential consequences of delaying security updates for kernel-level vulnerabilities.