CVE-2018-8211 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Device Guard that could allow an attacker to inject malicious code into a Windows PowerShell session, aka "Device Guard Code Integrity Policy Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability." This affects Windows 10 Servers, Windows 10. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8201, CVE-2018-8212, CVE-2018-8215, CVE-2018-8216, CVE-2018-8217, CVE-2018-8221.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8211 represents a critical security feature bypass in Windows Device Guard technology that fundamentally undermines code integrity protections. Device Guard is designed to enforce strict code integrity policies that prevent unauthorized code execution by validating digital signatures and enforcing execution policies for scripts and binaries. This particular flaw allows attackers to circumvent these protections through a sophisticated attack vector that targets the underlying validation mechanisms within PowerShell sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific flaw in how Device Guard validates code integrity policies during PowerShell execution. Attackers can leverage this bypass to inject malicious PowerShell commands that would normally be blocked by Device Guard's policy enforcement mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects Windows 10 Server and Windows 10 client operating systems, creating a significant attack surface for adversaries who seek to escalate privileges or establish persistent access within targeted environments. The flaw operates at the intersection of PowerShell's execution context and Device Guard's code integrity validation, allowing malicious payloads to execute without proper signature verification or policy enforcement.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform advanced persistent threat operations by bypassing the very protections that are supposed to prevent code injection attacks. The security feature bypass creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary PowerShell commands that would otherwise be restricted by Device Guard's policy enforcement. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for PowerShell execution, where adversaries leverage PowerShell as a primary attack vector. The impact extends beyond simple code injection to potentially enable privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data exfiltration activities within compromised networks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant risk exposure as the bypass allows attackers to circumvent enterprise security controls that are specifically designed to prevent malicious code execution. The vulnerability's classification as a security feature bypass aligns with CWE-1108, which describes weaknesses in security features that allow bypass of protection mechanisms. Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security updates, implementation of additional PowerShell execution restrictions, and enhanced monitoring of PowerShell activity for suspicious command patterns. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional layers of defense such as application control policies, script block logging, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated attack vectors that target core operating system security features.