CVE-2018-1040 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Code Integrity Module performs hashing, aka "Windows Code Integrity Module Denial of Service 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1040 represents a critical denial of service weakness within the Windows Code Integrity Module, a core security component responsible for validating the authenticity and integrity of code modules before execution. This flaw specifically manifests during the hashing operations performed by the module, creating a scenario where malicious actors can exploit the system's cryptographic processing capabilities to cause system instability and service disruption. The affected platforms span across multiple Windows versions including legacy systems like Windows 7 and Server 2008, as well as newer releases such as Windows 10 and Server 2016, indicating the vulnerability's widespread impact across the Windows ecosystem.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of hash computations within the Code Integrity Module, which operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-400, specifically categorized as an unchecked return value or improper error handling in cryptographic operations. When the module processes certain code modules for integrity verification, it fails to properly validate the hashing parameters or handle exceptional conditions during the cryptographic computation process. This weakness allows an attacker to craft specially formatted code modules that, when processed by the Code Integrity Module, trigger an infinite loop or excessive resource consumption that ultimately leads to system hang or complete denial of service. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level where code integrity checks are performed, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect system stability even when the attacker does not have direct execution privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1040 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire system availability, particularly in enterprise environments where code integrity checking is a fundamental security control. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform persistent denial of service attacks against Windows systems, potentially causing cascading failures in security infrastructure that relies on code integrity validation. The attack vector typically involves placing malicious code modules that trigger the flawed hashing routine, which can be executed through various means including removable media, network shares, or even through legitimate software installation processes. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for Network Denial of Service, where adversaries seek to disrupt system availability through legitimate system components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the security patches released by Microsoft through their regular update cycles, specifically targeting the Windows Code Integrity Module and related cryptographic libraries. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected Windows systems receive the necessary updates as soon as they become available. Additional defensive measures include monitoring system logs for unusual resource consumption patterns and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. Security administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary code integrity checks for specific system components when possible, though this approach must balance security requirements against operational needs. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-400 emphasizes the importance of proper error handling and resource management in cryptographic operations, making it essential for system administrators to review and harden their code integrity policies while maintaining awareness of potential exploitation attempts that could leverage similar weaknesses in other system components.