CVE-2017-8474 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows an authenticated attacker to obtain information via a specially crafted application. aka "Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-8491, CVE-2017-8490, CVE-2017-8489, CVE-2017-8488, CVE-2017-8485, CVE-2017-8483, CVE-2017-8482, CVE-2017-8481, CVE-2017-8480, CVE-2017-8478, CVE-2017-8479, CVE-2017-8476, CVE-2017-8469, CVE-2017-8462, CVE-2017-0300, CVE-2017-0299, and CVE-2017-0297.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8474 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows kernel that affects multiple operating system versions including Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 versions 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016. This vulnerability specifically resides in the kernel mode execution environment where authenticated attackers can exploit a flaw in the system's information handling mechanisms to obtain sensitive kernel data. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 which defines weaknesses related to information exposure, making it particularly concerning as it allows for potential escalation of privileges and further exploitation attempts. The flaw manifests when a specially crafted application is executed with valid user credentials, enabling the attacker to access kernel memory contents that should remain protected from user-mode applications.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2017-8474 occurs through a kernel-mode information disclosure mechanism that does not properly validate or restrict access to sensitive memory locations. When an authenticated user executes a malicious application, the kernel fails to adequately protect certain memory structures or data that contains information about system internals, memory layouts, or security parameters. This flaw falls within the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1082 which covers "System Information Discovery," as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence about the target system's kernel structure. The vulnerability does not require administrator privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by any authenticated user account, including standard user accounts or service accounts with limited privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked kernel information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain insights into kernel memory layouts, system call interfaces, and other sensitive data that can be used to craft more targeted exploits or to bypass security mechanisms such as address space layout randomization or kernel address space protection. The vulnerability creates a pathway for privilege escalation attacks where the leaked information can be used to understand kernel structures and potentially identify additional weaknesses in the system. This information disclosure vulnerability represents a significant threat to system security as it provides attackers with the building blocks necessary for advanced exploitation techniques and can be combined with other vulnerabilities to achieve full system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8474 should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vulnerability was addressed in the August 2017 security bulletin. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitoring for authenticated users, particularly in environments where service accounts or standard user accounts might be compromised. The principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential impact of this vulnerability, ensuring that users have only the minimum permissions necessary for their legitimate operations. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual application execution patterns or attempts to access kernel-level information. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure that all systems remain properly patched against this and similar information disclosure vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and highlights the need for continuous monitoring of system integrity to prevent exploitation attempts that leverage kernel-level weaknesses.