CVE-2017-8492 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-2017-8480, 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 • 08/20/2024
The Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8492 represents a critical security flaw within the kernel-mode components of multiple Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability affects 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, creating a widespread impact across enterprise and desktop environments. The flaw specifically allows authenticated attackers to obtain sensitive information through specially crafted applications, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user accounts may be compromised or where privilege escalation is possible.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of kernel-mode memory structures during certain operations, leading to information disclosure that could reveal sensitive kernel memory contents to unprivileged users. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-200, which deals with information exposure, and represents a classic case of insufficient output sanitization in kernel-level operations. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, where the operating system's core functions reside, making it particularly severe as it can potentially expose critical system information that could aid in further exploitation attempts.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations running affected Windows versions. The information disclosure could reveal kernel memory addresses, system structures, or other sensitive data that might be used in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to achieve privilege escalation or bypass security mechanisms. Attackers could leverage this information to craft more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to full system compromise. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that an attacker must already have a valid user account on the system, but this requirement is often met through various social engineering, credential theft, or initial access vectors. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Windows versions indicates that organizations with diverse operating system environments face a common threat vector requiring coordinated remediation efforts.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates and patches released in response to this vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running older Windows versions that remain in production environments. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit lateral movement, monitoring for suspicious application behavior, and conducting regular security assessments to identify systems that may not have been updated. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation indicates that it could serve as a stepping stone for more comprehensive attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Given the vulnerability's impact on kernel memory structures, regular security audits of system integrity and memory protection mechanisms become essential for maintaining overall system security posture.