CVE-2018-0747 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Windows kernel in Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 and RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703 and 1709, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server, version 1709 allows an information disclosure vulnerability due to the way memory addresses are handled, aka "Windows Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-0745 and CVE-2018-0746.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2021
The Windows kernel vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0747 represents a critical information disclosure flaw that affects multiple Windows operating system versions including Windows 7 SP1 through Windows 10 version 1709, along with various Windows Server editions. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory addresses within the kernel execution environment, creating a pathway for unauthorized information exposure that could potentially compromise system security. The flaw specifically manifests in how the kernel manages memory address spaces, allowing attackers to potentially extract sensitive information from system memory through carefully crafted malicious code execution.
This vulnerability operates at the kernel level, which means it affects the core operating system components that manage system resources and provide services to applications. The information disclosure occurs when the kernel fails to properly sanitize or validate memory address references during certain operations, potentially exposing kernel memory contents to user-mode processes. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which describes weaknesses that result in information exposure, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage to exploit such kernel-level flaws. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into kernel memory layouts, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or further exploitation of other system vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0747 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory addresses can provide attackers with critical information about system architecture and memory organization. This intelligence can be used to craft more effective attacks against other vulnerabilities, particularly those requiring precise memory address manipulation or bypassing exploit mitigations such as address space layout randomization. The vulnerability affects systems running on both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, though exploitation methods may vary based on platform characteristics. Organizations running affected Windows versions face potential exposure to advanced persistent threats that could leverage this information disclosure to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vendor released specific patches addressing the kernel memory handling flaw. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including kernel patch protection mechanisms, memory protection policies, and monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, while continuous vulnerability assessment programs should monitor for similar memory-related issues that might affect other kernel components. Organizations should also consider implementing exploit prevention technologies and maintaining up-to-date security baselines that include kernel-level security hardening measures to reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.