CVE-2017-8489 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-2017-8488, 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
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8489 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows kernel architecture 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. This vulnerability falls under the category of kernel-mode information disclosure, where an authenticated attacker with local system privileges can exploit a flaw in the kernel's memory management routines to extract sensitive information from system memory. The vulnerability specifically resides in the way the Windows kernel handles certain memory operations during process execution and memory allocation, creating an information leak that could potentially expose kernel memory contents to unauthorized users. According to CWE-200, this vulnerability maps directly to the weakness of information exposure, where sensitive data is inadvertently made available to unauthorized actors through improper access control mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2017-8489 occurs when a malicious application is executed with authenticated user privileges, leveraging a flaw in the kernel's memory management subsystem. The vulnerability manifests through improper handling of memory structures during kernel operations, allowing an attacker to read kernel memory addresses and potentially extract sensitive information such as stack contents, heap data, or other kernel-internal structures. This information disclosure can provide attackers with valuable insights into the kernel's memory layout, which could subsequently be used to facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or information gathering. The flaw operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses user-mode security controls and operates within the most privileged execution context of the operating system. The vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it provides a foundation for further exploitation activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to gather intelligence that could be used in subsequent attack phases. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially obtain memory addresses, kernel structures, and other sensitive data that could be used to bypass security mitigations such as address space layout randomization or kernel address space layout randomization. This information leak could enable more sophisticated attacks including return-oriented programming or other binary exploitation techniques that rely on knowing the memory layout of the target system. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Windows operating systems, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple versions may be in use simultaneously. Organizations running affected systems face increased risk of advanced persistent threats that could leverage this information disclosure to establish more persistent and stealthy footholds within their networks.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that corrected the kernel memory management routines and implemented proper access controls to prevent unauthorized memory access. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the latest security patches and updates from Microsoft as soon as they become available. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running older operating systems such as Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7, which are more vulnerable to exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing least privilege principles to limit user account privileges, monitoring for suspicious process execution patterns, and ensuring that systems are not running outdated software versions that may be more susceptible to exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the critical nature of kernel-level vulnerabilities that can provide attackers with fundamental system intelligence necessary for more advanced exploitation techniques.