CVE-2017-8488 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-2017-8485, CVE-2017-8483, 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 resides in the kernel's handling of certain system calls and memory management operations that fail to properly validate input parameters, creating an information disclosure channel that can be exploited by authenticated attackers. The flaw operates through a carefully crafted application that manipulates kernel-level data structures, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive kernel memory contents. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure, and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation within privileged system components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the kernel's failure to properly validate memory access patterns during specific kernel API calls, particularly those related to system information retrieval and memory management operations. An authenticated attacker with local system access can leverage this flaw to read kernel memory contents that should normally be protected from user-mode applications. The vulnerability does not require administrative privileges for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by any user who has logged into the system. The information disclosed through this vulnerability can include kernel memory addresses, system configuration data, and potentially sensitive security information that could aid in subsequent attacks. This weakness creates a foundational security issue that can enable more sophisticated exploitation techniques, including privilege escalation and further information gathering operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential attack vector that can be leveraged in combination with other vulnerabilities to achieve more significant security breaches. Attackers can use the leaked kernel information to bypass security mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and other exploit mitigations that rely on unpredictable memory layouts. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Windows versions means that organizations running any of these affected systems are at risk, regardless of their security posture or patching status. This creates a substantial attack surface that can be exploited by adversaries who gain initial access through other means, as the information disclosure can provide critical insights into the target system's internal workings and security configurations.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of this vulnerability through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the flaw represents a significant risk to system integrity and confidentiality. The recommended mitigation strategy includes applying the relevant security updates from Microsoft's security bulletin MS17-031, which specifically addresses this vulnerability in the Windows kernel. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging controls to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual kernel memory access patterns and application behavior that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments across all affected systems to ensure complete remediation and consider implementing network segmentation and privilege separation measures to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date system security patches and highlights the risks associated with running unsupported or outdated operating system versions that may not receive security updates.