CVE-2018-8407 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists when "Kernel Remote Procedure Call Provider" driver improperly initializes objects in memory, aka "MSRPC Information Disclosure 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 • 06/06/2023
The CVE-2018-8407 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows kernel's Remote Procedure Call (RPC) subsystem that stems from improper object initialization in memory. This vulnerability specifically affects the Kernel Remote Procedure Call Provider driver component that handles inter-process communication within the Windows operating system. The flaw manifests when the driver fails to properly initialize memory objects during RPC operations, potentially exposing sensitive kernel memory contents to unauthorized processes. The vulnerability impacts a broad range of Windows operating systems including legacy versions like Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, as well as newer releases such as Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019, creating a widespread attack surface across enterprise and consumer environments. This issue falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure through improper memory handling. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the kernel level, providing attackers with privileged access to sensitive system information that could be leveraged for further exploitation.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2018-8407 occurs when malicious code triggers RPC operations that cause the kernel driver to return uninitialized memory contents to user-mode applications. This improper initialization allows attackers to read sensitive data from kernel memory regions that should remain protected, potentially exposing system credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential information. The vulnerability operates through the MSRPC protocol which is fundamental to Windows networking and service communication, making it accessible through various attack vectors including remote network connections or local privilege escalation attempts. Attackers can leverage this information disclosure to gain insights into system memory layout, kernel structures, and potentially sensitive data that could aid in bypassing security mechanisms. The flaw is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Remote Management and T1068 for Local Privilege Escalation, as it can serve as a foundational vulnerability for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that RPC operations are commonly used by legitimate system services and applications, making the exploitation less detectable by traditional security monitoring tools.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8407 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents can provide attackers with critical system intelligence for subsequent attacks. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where attackers might extract domain credentials, service account information, or cryptographic keys that could enable lateral movement and persistent access. The information disclosure can also reveal memory addresses and kernel structures that facilitate advanced exploitation techniques such as return-oriented programming or other binary exploitation methods. Organizations running affected Windows versions face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, potentially allowing attackers to compromise entire networks through a single successful exploit. The vulnerability's widespread impact across multiple Windows versions means that organizations must implement comprehensive patch management strategies and network segmentation to protect against potential exploitation. Security teams should monitor for unusual RPC traffic patterns and implement memory protection mechanisms to mitigate the risk of information disclosure attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper kernel memory initialization practices and highlights the need for robust security testing of core operating system components. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.