CVE-2017-8668 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Volume Manager Extension Driver in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2 allows an attacker to run a specially crafted application and obtain kernel information, aka "Volume Manager Extension Driver Information Disclosure Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8668 resides within the Volume Manager Extension Driver component of Microsoft Windows operating systems, affecting versions including Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2. This issue represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables attackers to extract kernel-level information through carefully crafted applications. The vulnerability specifically impacts the volume manager extension driver which handles storage volume operations and maintains sensitive kernel data structures. The flaw stems from improper validation of input parameters within the driver's processing routines, creating an avenue for unauthorized data access that could reveal critical system information.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic case of information disclosure through kernel-mode driver interfaces. Attackers can exploit this weakness by executing malicious applications that interact with the volume manager extension driver through specific API calls or device control operations. The driver fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, allowing malicious input to traverse the kernel boundary and potentially expose kernel memory contents, system handles, or other sensitive operational data. This information disclosure can provide attackers with valuable insights into the kernel's internal state, memory layout, and system architecture that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8668 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked kernel information could facilitate subsequent exploitation attempts. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to kernel-level data that may reveal memory addresses, system structures, or other sensitive information that could be used to bypass security mechanisms or craft more effective attacks. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous when combined with other exploitation techniques, as the leaked information could aid in bypassing exploit mitigations such as address space layout randomization or kernel address space layout randomization. The potential for privilege escalation increases significantly when attackers can obtain kernel information, as this knowledge can be instrumental in developing more targeted and effective exploitation strategies.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations through Microsoft's security updates and patches released for this vulnerability. Organizations must ensure that all affected Windows systems receive the relevant security updates as quickly as possible, as the information disclosure nature of this vulnerability makes it particularly attractive to threat actors. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual volume manager extension driver activity and network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the information gathering phase, potentially supporting later stages of attack such as privilege escalation or defense evasion. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.