CVE-2017-11847 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows kernel in Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 8.1 and RT1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server, version 1709 allows an attacker to run arbitrary code in kernel mode, install programs, view, change or delete data, and create new accounts with full user rights due to improperly handing objects in memory, aka "Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11847 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Windows kernel subsystem affecting multiple operating system versions including Windows 7 SP1 through Windows 10 version 1709 and their respective server editions. This vulnerability resides in the kernel mode execution environment where the operating system handles critical system functions and memory management operations. The flaw stems from improper handling of objects in memory, specifically within the kernel's object management routines that process various system resources and data structures. When exploited, this vulnerability allows an attacker with limited user privileges to elevate their execution context to kernel mode level, thereby gaining complete control over the affected system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically relates to improper handling of kernel objects within the Windows kernel memory management subsystem. The vulnerability occurs when the kernel fails to properly validate or sanitize object references during memory operations, leading to potential memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious code. This improper object handling creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate kernel data structures and execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges. The exploitation typically involves crafting specially crafted input or memory operations that trigger the vulnerable code path in the kernel, allowing the attacker to bypass standard security mechanisms that normally protect kernel memory regions from user-mode access.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11847 is severe and far-reaching across enterprise environments, as it enables attackers to achieve complete system compromise without requiring physical access or elevated privileges initially. Once exploited, the vulnerability provides attackers with the ability to install malicious software, modify or delete critical system data, and create new user accounts with full administrative rights. This privilege escalation capability allows threat actors to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive information, and potentially spread laterally within network environments. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple Windows versions simultaneously, creating a broad attack surface that includes both desktop and server operating systems. Security researchers have documented that this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious documents, web-based attacks, or by leveraging other initial compromise techniques to deliver the exploit payload directly to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11847 should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, which address the underlying kernel object handling issues. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant security patches as soon as they become available, particularly for systems running vulnerable Windows versions. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized code, enabling exploit protection features such as Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), and monitoring system logs for suspicious kernel-mode activity. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems that may not have received the necessary patches. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1059, covering "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as attackers typically leverage such vulnerabilities to establish persistent access and execute further malicious activities within compromised environments.