CVE-2017-8360 in Elite
Summary
by MITRE
Conexant Systems mictray64 task, as used on HP Elite, EliteBook, ProBook, and ZBook systems, leaks sensitive data (keystrokes) to any process. In mictray64.exe (mic tray icon) 1.0.0.46, a LowLevelKeyboardProc Windows hook is used to capture keystrokes. This data is leaked via unintended channels: debug messages accessible to any process that is running in the current user session, and filesystem access to C:\Users\Public\MicTray.log by any process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8360 represents a critical security flaw in Conexant Systems mictray64 task software deployed on HP business laptop systems including Elite, EliteBook, ProBook, and ZBook series. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the microphone tray icon application that runs in the user session context. The flaw manifests through the use of a LowLevelKeyboardProc Windows hook mechanism within mictray64.exe version 1.0.0.46, which is designed to capture keyboard input for microphone control functionality but inadvertently exposes keystroke data to unauthorized processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Windows hooking mechanism that allows the mictray64.exe process to intercept keyboard events system-wide. This LowLevelKeyboardProc hook captures keystrokes as part of its intended functionality for microphone control, but fails to properly sanitize or secure this data access. The vulnerability creates two distinct data leakage channels that bypass normal security boundaries. First, debug messages generated by the application become accessible to any process running within the same user session, effectively eliminating the security boundary that should protect sensitive keyboard input. Second, the application writes keystroke data to a log file at C:\Users\Public\MicTray.log, which is accessible to any process with appropriate permissions in the current user session, creating an easily exploitable information disclosure vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with unrestricted access to sensitive user input data including passwords, personal information, and confidential communications. The vulnerability affects any user who has administrative privileges or can execute code within the user session context, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users share systems. The exposure occurs through the unintended channels that the application creates, meaning that legitimate system processes can access the captured keystrokes without proper authorization. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) categories, representing a fundamental failure in secure data handling practices. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that any process running in the current user session can access the debug information and log file, making exploitation trivial and requiring no elevated privileges beyond normal user access.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through software updates from HP and Conexant Systems, as well as implementing process monitoring to detect unauthorized access to the MicTray.log file. System administrators should disable the mictray64.exe process if not required for functionality, and implement proper file access controls on the C:\Users\Public directory to prevent unauthorized access to the log file. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and secure coding practices, particularly when implementing Windows hooks that interact with sensitive data. Organizations should consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for suspicious file access patterns and process behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1056.001 (Input Capture: Keylogging) and T1074.001 (Data Staged: Local Data Staging) techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive monitoring of both data collection mechanisms and data exfiltration patterns in endpoint environments.