CVE-2017-8483 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-2017-8482, CVE-2017-8480, 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 • 08/19/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows kernel 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 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016. The vulnerability specifically allows authenticated attackers to obtain sensitive information from the kernel memory through a specially crafted application, creating a significant security risk that could be exploited for further attacks. The flaw falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities as defined by CWE-200, where attackers can access data that should remain confidential. This particular vulnerability is distinct from several other related issues including CVE-2017-8492, CVE-2017-8491, CVE-2017-8490, and numerous others that were simultaneously being addressed in the Windows security landscape.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the kernel level where improper validation or handling of certain memory operations allows an authenticated user to read kernel memory contents that should remain protected from user-mode applications. The attack vector requires local authentication as the attacker must already have valid user credentials to execute the malicious application, but this requirement does not diminish the severity of the vulnerability. The exploitation process likely involves crafting specific memory access patterns or using kernel APIs in unintended ways to probe kernel memory structures and extract information about system internals, memory layouts, or other sensitive data. This type of vulnerability can provide attackers with information that could be used for privilege escalation or for developing more sophisticated attacks against the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8483 is significant as it creates opportunities for attackers to gather intelligence about the target system that could be leveraged for subsequent attacks. While the vulnerability requires authentication, the information disclosure could reveal kernel memory addresses, system configuration details, or other sensitive data that would normally be protected by the kernel's memory management and access control mechanisms. This information could potentially be used to bypass security features, understand system behavior, or develop more effective exploitation techniques for other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Windows versions means that organizations running any of these operating systems are at risk, particularly in environments where local authentication credentials might be compromised through social engineering, credential theft, or other attack vectors. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates as soon as they become available. The vulnerability's nature as a kernel-level information disclosure means that patching is essential rather than optional, as the risk of exploitation remains high once the system is compromised. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that local authentication credentials are properly protected and that unauthorized users cannot easily gain access to systems. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious local activity or unusual memory access patterns could help detect exploitation attempts, though this requires careful implementation to avoid false positives. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all systems and demonstrates how even authenticated attacks can lead to significant information disclosure risks that require immediate attention. Security teams should also consider implementing kernel-mode exploit detection mechanisms and monitoring for potential exploitation attempts that could leverage this vulnerability for privilege escalation or information gathering activities.