CVE-2018-7250 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in secdrv.sys as shipped in Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 before KB3086255, and as shipped in Macrovision SafeDisc. An uninitialized kernel pool allocation in IOCTL 0xCA002813 allows a local unprivileged attacker to leak 16 bits of uninitialized kernel PagedPool data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7250 resides within the secdrv.sys driver component that is distributed with Microsoft Windows operating systems including Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1, as well as with Macrovision SafeDisc software. This flaw manifests as an uninitialized kernel pool allocation during processing of IOCTL 0xCA002813 requests, representing a critical security weakness that affects systems running these versions before the application of security patch KB3086255. The vulnerability stems from improper initialization of memory pools within the kernel space, creating an exploitable condition that could potentially compromise system integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) command that triggers an uninitialized memory allocation within the kernel PagedPool memory segment. When an unprivileged local user executes a malicious application that sends this particular IOCTL request to the secdrv.sys driver, the system allocates memory without properly initializing the contents. This results in the exposure of 16 bits of uninitialized kernel memory data to the user-mode application, effectively creating a memory leak that can be exploited to gather sensitive information from kernel space. The flaw is classified as a memory disclosure vulnerability that operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive kernel data that could reveal system internals, memory layouts, or other confidential information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running affected versions of Windows or Macrovision SafeDisc software. The local nature of the attack means that an attacker must already have user-level access to the system to exploit this vulnerability, but the potential impact is substantial as it allows for information leakage that could aid in more sophisticated attacks. The exposure of 16 bits of uninitialized kernel PagedPool data could potentially reveal memory addresses, system configuration details, or other sensitive information that could be leveraged in combination with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges or conduct advanced exploitation techniques. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-1286 which specifically addresses uninitialized kernel memory access issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in kernel space operations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability can be categorized under the attack pattern of information disclosure within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically falling under the technique of "T1005 - Data from Local System" and potentially "T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter" when used in conjunction with other attack vectors. The impact extends beyond simple information leakage as this type of memory disclosure can provide attackers with crucial information needed for more advanced exploitation methods such as heap spraying, return-oriented programming attacks, or other memory corruption techniques. Security researchers have noted that uninitialized memory can contain remnants of previous operations, potentially revealing sensitive data from other processes, cryptographic keys, or system configuration details that could be exploited in subsequent attacks. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader security posture assessment, particularly when evaluating systems that may be running older versions of Windows or legacy Macrovision SafeDisc software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7250 primarily involve applying the Microsoft security update KB3086255 which addresses the uninitialized kernel pool allocation issue in the secdrv.sys driver. System administrators should ensure that all affected Windows systems are updated to the latest security patches, particularly those that address kernel memory management issues. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of this vulnerability by ensuring that only authorized users have access to systems that might be vulnerable. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management programs that can identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in the wild. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous IOCTL activity or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities.