CVE-2017-8464 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows Shell in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows local users or remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .LNK file, which is not properly handled during icon display in Windows Explorer or any other application that parses the icon of the shortcut. aka "LNK Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
The CVE-2017-8464 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Microsoft Windows operating systems that affects a broad range of platforms including Windows Server 2008 through Windows 10. This vulnerability specifically targets the Windows Shell component and exploits the improper handling of .LNK files during icon display operations within Windows Explorer or any application that processes shortcut icons. The flaw enables both local and remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users may interact with shared network resources. The vulnerability stems from the way Windows processes shortcut files when displaying their icons, creating a vector for malicious code injection that can bypass traditional security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the Windows Shell's automatic icon extraction mechanism that occurs when users browse folders containing .LNK files. When Windows Explorer encounters a shortcut file, it automatically attempts to extract and display the icon associated with the target application. Attackers can craft malicious .LNK files with specially designed icon paths that contain executable code, which gets executed during the icon display process. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in system components. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be triggered through various attack vectors including network shares, removable media, or email attachments containing malicious shortcuts.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8464 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Once successfully exploited, attackers can gain elevated privileges on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered automatically without user interaction, making it ideal for zero-day exploits in targeted attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers can leverage the executed code to establish persistence and escalate privileges. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that the attack can occur through network shares, making it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where shared resources are common.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8464 should include immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, which address the core parsing issue in the Windows Shell component. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to shared resources and disable automatic icon extraction for network shares through Group Policy configurations. Security controls such as Windows Defender Application Control or AppLocker can help prevent execution of unauthorized code from potentially malicious .LNK files. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual .LNK file access patterns and icon extraction requests. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 and its mapping to ATT&CK techniques T1059 and T1068 emphasize the need for layered defense approaches including endpoint protection, network monitoring, and user education to prevent exploitation. Organizations should also consider disabling the automatic execution of code from network shares and implementing strict access controls for shared folders containing potentially malicious content.