CVE-2017-8476 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and 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-2017-8474, 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 • 12/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8476 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows kernel implementation that affects multiple operating system versions including Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 versions from Gold through 1703, and Windows Server 2016. This vulnerability falls under the category of kernel-mode information disclosure, where an authenticated attacker can exploit a specially crafted application to extract sensitive information from the system memory. The flaw specifically manifests in how the kernel handles certain data structures and memory management operations, creating an avenue for unauthorized information retrieval that could potentially expose system internals and sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of input parameters within kernel-level functions that process user-mode applications. When a malicious application executes with elevated privileges, it can manipulate kernel data structures to trigger information leakage mechanisms that were not properly secured against such exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a kernel information disclosure aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information, and the attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1003 for OS Credential Dumping and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The flaw exploits the trust relationship between user-mode applications and kernel services, allowing for privilege escalation and further exploitation attempts that could lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8476 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked kernel information can provide attackers with critical system internals that facilitate more sophisticated attacks. An authenticated attacker with local access can leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into memory layout, kernel function addresses, and system configuration details that would normally be protected from user-mode access. This information leakage creates a foundation for advanced exploitation techniques including return-oriented programming attacks, heap spraying, and other memory corruption exploits that require precise knowledge of system internals. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Windows versions makes it particularly dangerous as it affects both legacy systems and newer releases, potentially creating persistent attack vectors that could remain undetected for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, specifically the patches released in August 2017 as part of the security bulletin MS17-082. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing least privilege principles to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks, monitoring for suspicious application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, and deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent the execution of malicious applications. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous information disclosure patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability, while regular security assessments should verify that systems remain protected against similar kernel-level information disclosure threats. The vulnerability's characteristics also necessitate regular system audits and memory analysis to identify any potential exploitation attempts that might have occurred before patch deployment.