CVE-2018-0964 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists when Windows Hyper-V on a host operating system fails to properly validate input from an authenticated user on a guest operating system, aka "Hyper-V Information Disclosure Vulnerability." This affects Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-0957.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
The CVE-2018-0964 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Windows Hyper-V hypervisor implementation that undermines the fundamental security isolation principles governing virtualized environments. This vulnerability specifically targets the validation mechanisms that should prevent guest operating systems from accessing or manipulating host system resources, creating a potential pathway for unauthorized data exposure. The flaw exists in the way Hyper-V processes input validation from authenticated guest users, allowing malicious or compromised virtual machines to potentially extract sensitive information from the host system.
This vulnerability operates at the hypervisor level where the security boundary between host and guest operating systems becomes compromised. The technical flaw manifests when Hyper-V fails to properly validate input parameters originating from guest operating systems, particularly those that might attempt to access memory regions or system resources that should remain isolated. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20, which represents improper input validation, and specifically relates to the lack of proper boundary checking and validation of guest-controlled inputs that could lead to information leakage. The flaw enables an authenticated guest user to potentially access host memory, configuration data, or other sensitive information that should remain protected within the host environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0964 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a potential stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within virtualized environments. Attackers who can successfully exploit this vulnerability may gain access to sensitive host system information including memory dumps, configuration settings, or other data that could aid in further exploitation attempts. This information disclosure could enable adversaries to perform reconnaissance activities, identify system configurations, or extract credentials and other sensitive data that could be used to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network. The vulnerability affects Windows 10 and Windows Server operating systems that utilize Hyper-V virtualization capabilities, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments that rely heavily on virtualized infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft security updates and patches as soon as they become available, along with monitoring virtualization logs for suspicious activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves command and control through hypervisor manipulation, and T1082, which focuses on system information discovery. Network segmentation and hypervisor hardening measures should be implemented to reduce the attack surface and limit potential lateral movement. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their virtualized environments and ensure proper network isolation between different trust zones to minimize the impact of such information disclosure vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing virtualized workloads while maintaining the security integrity of the overall infrastructure.