CVE-2018-0977 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Windows kernel mode driver in 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 objects are handled in memory, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0977 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Windows kernel mode driver subsystem, specifically affecting multiple Windows 10 versions including Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709, alongside Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server version 1709. This issue resides within the win32k.sys driver which serves as the foundation for Windows graphical user interface components and handles critical system objects. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects in memory, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to SYSTEM level access. The flaw manifests in the kernel mode driver's object management routines where insufficient validation occurs during object manipulation processes, allowing for potential memory corruption and privilege escalation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging weaknesses in the Windows kernel's object reference counting and memory management mechanisms. When legitimate user applications interact with graphical objects through the win32k.sys driver, the kernel fails to properly validate object states and memory boundaries during object operations. This memory handling flaw creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate object pointers, corrupt memory structures, or exploit race conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution in kernel space. The vulnerability specifically targets the kernel mode driver's handling of Windows object types and their associated memory management, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the most privileged level of the operating system. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' by exploiting weaknesses in system processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0977 is severe and far-reaching across enterprise environments, as successful exploitation enables attackers to gain complete system control without requiring administrative credentials or physical access. Once an attacker achieves privilege escalation through this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, effectively bypassing all standard security controls and access restrictions. The vulnerability affects the core Windows kernel functionality, meaning that exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, persistence mechanisms installation, and lateral movement within network environments. Organizations running affected Windows versions face significant risk of advanced persistent threats and zero-day attacks, as this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious web content, infected email attachments, or compromised software installations. The widespread nature of affected Windows versions means that many enterprise systems remain vulnerable, creating substantial risk for organizations that have not yet deployed the necessary security updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0977 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Microsoft released security update KB4093427 addressing this vulnerability, which should be deployed immediately across all affected systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Additional mitigations include enabling exploit protection mechanisms such as Data Execution Prevention, Address Space Layout Randomization, and Control Flow Guard to make exploitation more difficult. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual kernel-level activities or privilege escalation attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized code and reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security monitoring to detect and respond to exploitation attempts before they can cause significant damage to organizational infrastructure.