CVE-2018-0887 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel fails to properly initialize a memory address, aka "Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-0960, CVE-2018-0968, CVE-2018-0969, CVE-2018-0970, CVE-2018-0971, CVE-2018-0972, CVE-2018-0973, CVE-2018-0974, CVE-2018-0975.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0887 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows kernel that stems from improper memory address initialization during system operations. This issue manifests when the kernel fails to correctly set up memory locations, potentially exposing sensitive data to unauthorized access. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Windows operating systems including legacy versions like Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2, alongside newer releases such as Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016. The flaw resides in the kernel's memory management subsystem, specifically in how it handles address space initialization during process creation and system operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which encompasses information exposure issues, and represents a fundamental breakdown in the kernel's memory protection mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized data access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when malicious code or processes attempt to access memory regions that have not been properly initialized by the kernel. This improper initialization can result in the exposure of sensitive kernel memory contents including stack data, heap information, or other internal system structures that should remain protected. Attackers can potentially leverage this weakness to gather information about the system's memory layout, which could then be used to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it creates a foundation for potential privilege escalation attacks, where the leaked information can be used to bypass security mechanisms. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers can use the leaked information to improve their exploitation strategies.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0887 is significant across enterprise environments where Windows systems are prevalent, particularly in scenarios involving multiple operating system versions that share this vulnerability. Organizations running affected systems face increased risk of information leakage that could expose system internals, potentially revealing kernel memory structures that aid in advanced persistent threat operations. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to cascading security issues where initial information disclosure enables more sophisticated attacks such as heap spraying or kernel exploitation techniques. System administrators must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability when assessing their security posture, as it represents a foundational weakness in the operating system's memory protection architecture. The vulnerability affects both server and desktop environments, making it particularly concerning for organizations that maintain mixed operating system deployments, where the attack surface expands due to the varying levels of security hardening across different system versions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the primary fix involves kernel memory initialization improvements. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running legacy operating systems that may not receive extended support. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, while monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or information disclosure activities should be enabled. The vulnerability's nature suggests that traditional security controls may not be sufficient, requiring enhanced kernel-level monitoring and memory protection mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing exploit mitigation techniques such as address space layout randomization and control flow integrity checks to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems that may be running unpatched versions of the affected operating systems.