CVE-2018-0750 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Windows GDI component in Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1 allows an information disclosure vulnerability due to the way objects are handled in memory, aka "Windows Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2021
The Windows GDI component vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0750 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the graphics device interface subsystem of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically affects Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2, and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1, where the improper handling of objects in memory creates exploitable conditions that can lead to privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the GDI subsystem that govern how graphical objects are allocated, managed, and accessed in memory space.
The technical flaw manifests in the manner by which Windows GDI handles object references and memory management during graphic rendering operations. When processing certain graphical operations, the system fails to properly validate object boundaries and memory access patterns, creating opportunities for attackers to extract sensitive information from kernel memory regions. This improper object handling allows for information disclosure that can reveal kernel memory contents, potentially exposing critical system data including security credentials, encryption keys, or other privileged information. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level where the GDI component interacts with system resources, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to bypass standard security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to enable full privilege escalation attacks that can compromise entire systems. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can elevate their privileges from standard user level to system level access, gaining complete control over affected systems. This elevation of privilege allows for persistent access, data exfiltration, and deployment of additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges initially, making it particularly attractive to attackers who can leverage it to gain unauthorized system access. The impact is severe across enterprise environments where Windows 7 and Server 2008 systems remain operational, as these platforms continue to be targeted by threat actors despite their end-of-life status.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft security patches, disabling unnecessary graphical services, and implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125 and CWE-787 categories related to out-of-bounds reads and improper input validation, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access. Organizations should prioritize patch management programs, conduct thorough vulnerability assessments, and implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, system hardening measures such as disabling legacy graphics protocols and implementing application whitelisting can reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the risks associated with running unsupported operating systems in enterprise environments.