CVE-2017-14153 in WinDriver
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on Jungo WinDriver 12.4.0 and earlier. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the processing of IOCTL 0x953824b7 by the windrvr1240 kernel driver. The issue lies in the failure to properly validate user-supplied data which can result in a kernel pool overflow. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code under the context of kernel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14153 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Jungo WinDriver version 12.4.0 and earlier installations. This issue affects systems where the windrvr1240 kernel driver is actively running, creating a potential attack surface for local adversaries who have already gained low-privileged execution capabilities on the target system. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the kernel driver's handling of specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) operations, specifically the 0x953824b7 command. The root cause of this weakness aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient validation of user-supplied data leads to memory corruption in kernel space. When an attacker crafts malicious input data and submits it through the vulnerable IOCTL interface, the kernel driver fails to properly validate the size or content of the supplied parameters, leading to a kernel pool overflow condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the kernel context with the highest system privileges. This represents a severe security compromise since kernel-level execution provides complete system control, enabling attackers to bypass all user-mode security controls, access protected memory regions, and manipulate system resources without detection. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an initial foothold through low-privileged code execution, which aligns with common attack methodologies where adversaries first gain access through social engineering, phishing, or other initial compromise techniques before leveraging this kernel-level vulnerability for privilege escalation. The attack vector specifically targets the windrvr1240 driver's handling of IOCTL 0x953824b7, making it a targeted exploit against systems running vulnerable WinDriver versions.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to the privilege escalation technique T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in operating systems or applications to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability also relates to T1059, representing the use of system commands and scripting languages to execute malicious code, though in this case the execution occurs within kernel space rather than user space. The exploitation process follows the typical attack pattern where an adversary first establishes a presence on the system, then identifies and leverages kernel-level vulnerabilities to achieve system compromise. Organizations should note that this vulnerability represents a persistent threat that can be exploited by sophisticated attackers who have already established initial access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where insider threats or compromised accounts exist.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14153 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to Jungo WinDriver version 12.5.0 or later, which contain patches addressing the kernel pool overflow condition. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all vulnerable systems receive updates promptly, as this vulnerability has been widely documented and exploited in the wild. Additional defensive measures include implementing kernel-mode exploit protection through technologies such as kernel patch protection and driver signature enforcement, which can help prevent exploitation of vulnerable drivers even if patches are not immediately applied. Network segmentation and privilege separation should also be considered to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, though these measures cannot prevent the vulnerability itself. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable WinDriver versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on the criticality of affected systems within their infrastructure.