CVE-2018-0868 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows Installer in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 and RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server, version 1709 allows an elevation of privilege vulnerability due to how input is sanitized, aka "Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2021
The Windows Installer elevation of privilege vulnerability CVE-2018-0868 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft's installation framework that affects multiple operating system versions including Windows Server 2008 through Windows 10. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the Windows Installer component, specifically in how it processes and validates user inputs during installation operations. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit the installer's handling of untrusted data, creating opportunities for privilege escalation attacks that could allow unauthorized users to gain elevated system privileges.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation and sanitization of input parameters within the Windows Installer service. When processing installation packages or configuration data, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied inputs, allowing potentially malicious data to bypass security checks. This weakness manifests as a privilege escalation vector where an attacker with standard user privileges could manipulate the installer process to execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions. The vulnerability operates at the system level where installation services typically run with high privileges, making the exploitation particularly dangerous. According to CWE standards, this corresponds to CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," which encompasses issues where systems fail to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0868 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to deploy malware, modify system files, and establish persistent access to affected systems. Attackers can craft malicious installation packages that exploit this vulnerability to gain SYSTEM-level privileges, effectively compromising the entire system. The widespread affected scope across multiple Windows versions including server and client operating systems means that organizations with diverse IT environments face significant risk. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious software installation, drive-by downloads, or social engineering campaigns that trick users into executing compromised installation packages.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. Immediate remediation includes applying Microsoft security updates and patches that address the input sanitization issues within Windows Installer. Organizations should also implement strict software installation policies that limit the ability of users to execute installation packages without proper authorization and administrative oversight. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help prevent unauthorized installation package execution. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence, specifically T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1059 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter." System administrators should monitor for suspicious installation activities and implement security controls that restrict installation operations to authorized users and known good software sources. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in system components that handle user inputs and the necessity of regular security assessments to identify similar sanitization weaknesses in critical system services.