CVE-2017-8480 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-2017-8492, CVE-2017-8491, CVE-2017-8490, CVE-2017-8489, CVE-2017-8488, CVE-2017-8485, CVE-2017-8483, CVE-2017-8482, CVE-2017-8479, CVE-2017-8478, CVE-2017-8476, 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 • 12/30/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows kernel operating system components that affects multiple versions of Microsoft Windows including server and client operating systems. The vulnerability specifically resides in the kernel's handling of certain system calls and memory management operations that occur during normal system operation. An authenticated attacker with valid user credentials can exploit this weakness to extract sensitive information from kernel memory structures, potentially revealing system internals, memory addresses, or other confidential data that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The flaw manifests when legitimate applications interact with kernel services in ways that do not properly validate or sanitize input parameters, creating an information leak channel that bypasses normal security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of kernel objects and memory regions during specific system operations. When an authenticated user executes a specially crafted application, the kernel's memory management subsystem fails to adequately protect sensitive data structures from being accessed or read by user-mode processes. This information disclosure occurs through mechanisms that should normally be restricted to kernel-level access only, allowing attackers to gather information about the system's internal state, memory layout, or other system-specific details. The vulnerability is classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration as a weakness related to improper information protection, specifically falling under the category of information exposure through improper handling of system resources. The attack vector requires local authentication, meaning the attacker must already possess valid user credentials to execute the exploit, but the impact extends beyond the immediate user context to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked information can be instrumental in developing more advanced exploitation techniques. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can use the gathered information to bypass security mechanisms such as address space layout randomization, kernel address space protection, and other exploit mitigations that rely on the unpredictability of system memory layouts. This information leakage creates a foundation for developing more effective buffer overflow exploits, privilege escalation attacks, or other advanced persistent threats that would otherwise be difficult to execute successfully. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Windows versions from server 2008 through Windows 10 1703 creates a widespread attack surface that affects organizations across different deployment scenarios, including enterprise environments and consumer systems. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be particularly dangerous when combined with other exploits, as the information gathered can significantly reduce the complexity of subsequent attack phases.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security update KB4019264 and subsequent patches released in their regular monthly update cycle. Organizations should prioritize applying these patches to all affected systems, particularly those running server operating systems that may be exposed to greater risk due to their extended operational lifecycles. The patch modifies the kernel's memory management routines to ensure proper validation of access requests and prevents unauthorized information disclosure from kernel memory regions. Additional mitigations include implementing proper access control policies, monitoring for unusual application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, and maintaining current security baselines that include appropriate system hardening measures. From an enterprise security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and understanding the attack surface of operating systems that may be running older versions with extended support periods. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the information gathering and privilege escalation domains, where adversaries collect system information to inform their attack strategies and identify potential paths to compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous system behavior patterns consistent with information disclosure attempts, as well as maintaining comprehensive incident response procedures that account for kernel-level vulnerabilities that may not be immediately apparent through traditional security scanning methods.