CVE-2017-11784 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, and Windows 10 Gold, 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-2017-11765, CVE-2017-11785, and CVE-2017-11814.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11784 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, and Windows 10 Gold. 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 through kernel-level operations. The flaw specifically manifests when the Windows Kernel fails to properly validate or manage memory objects during routine operations, leading to unintended information exposure that could compromise system security and confidentiality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the kernel's memory management subsystem failing to adequately protect or sanitize memory objects during processing operations. When legitimate system processes interact with kernel memory structures, the improper handling can result in memory contents being inadvertently exposed to unauthorized access or manipulation. This type of vulnerability typically arises from insufficient input validation, inadequate memory boundary checks, or flawed object lifecycle management within the kernel code. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and represents a direct threat to system confidentiality as attackers can potentially extract sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, passwords, or other protected information stored in kernel memory spaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11784 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable insights that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The exposure of kernel memory contents can enable adversaries to understand system internals, identify potential attack vectors, and develop more effective exploitation techniques for other vulnerabilities. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1003.001 "OS Credential Dumping: LSASS Memory" and T1003.002 "OS Credential Dumping: Security Account Manager" by providing access to memory structures that contain sensitive authentication information. The vulnerability also supports techniques such as T1059.001 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1059.003 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell" by enabling attackers to gather information that can be used to craft more targeted payloads and evade detection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11784 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vulnerability affects widely deployed operating systems across enterprise environments. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of memory safety practices and proper kernel object management, aligning with defense-in-depth principles that require multiple layers of protection. System administrators should also consider implementing privileged access management controls, network segmentation, and regular security assessments to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar memory handling flaws that could exist in other system components.