CVE-2018-8333 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An Elevation of Privilege vulnerability exists in Filter Manager when it improperly handles objects in memory, aka "Microsoft Filter Manager Elevation Of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2019, 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 • 05/23/2023
The CVE-2018-8333 vulnerability represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Microsoft's Filter Manager component, which operates as a core kernel-mode driver responsible for file system filtering and security policy enforcement. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory objects within the Filter Manager subsystem, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to SYSTEM level access. The flaw affects a broad range of Microsoft Windows operating systems including legacy versions like Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2, as well as newer releases such as Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016, demonstrating the widespread impact of this memory handling issue.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a memory corruption flaw in how Filter Manager processes certain kernel objects during file system filtering operations. When a malicious user submits crafted input or triggers specific file system operations, the Filter Manager component fails to properly validate or handle memory references, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within kernel space. This memory handling failure creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can influence kernel object management, allowing for privilege escalation attacks that bypass standard operating system security boundaries. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities in memory management contexts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to enterprise environments as it enables attackers to gain SYSTEM-level privileges without requiring administrative credentials or complex exploitation techniques. Security researchers have classified this as a high-severity issue because it can be exploited remotely or locally, with minimal user interaction required for successful exploitation. The attack surface extends across multiple Windows versions, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with mixed operating system environments. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that Filter Manager is a foundational component that interacts with core file system operations, making legitimate user activities susceptible to exploitation. According to MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068, which covers privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and T1059, which involves command and control through legitimate system processes.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft's security patches as soon as they become available, particularly the cumulative updates released in June 2018. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel-mode driver verification, restricted user permissions, and monitoring for unusual file system activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how kernel-level flaws can compromise entire operating system security models. Security teams should monitor network traffic for indicators of compromise related to Filter Manager exploitation and consider implementing privileged access management solutions to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific vulnerability to ensure comprehensive protection across all supported Windows platforms.