CVE-2018-8477 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel improperly handles objects in memory, aka "Windows Kernel 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. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8621, CVE-2018-8622.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8477 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows kernel's memory management subsystem. This weakness stems from improper handling of kernel objects in memory, creating a pathway for unauthorized information exposure that could potentially compromise system security. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Windows operating systems spanning multiple versions including legacy systems like Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, along with newer releases such as Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019. The scope of affected platforms indicates this represents a widespread issue that would require extensive remediation efforts across enterprise environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a classic case of improper access control within kernel space operations. When the Windows kernel processes memory objects, it fails to properly validate or sanitize certain memory references, potentially allowing malicious code or unauthorized processes to access kernel memory structures that should remain protected. This improper handling creates a scenario where sensitive information could be inadvertently exposed through memory leaks, buffer overflows, or memory corruption issues that occur during kernel object manipulation. The vulnerability specifically manifests when kernel components process certain types of objects, leading to information disclosure that could reveal system internals, memory layouts, or other sensitive data that would normally be restricted from user-mode access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system security and data integrity across affected platforms. Attackers could potentially leverage this information disclosure to gain insights into kernel memory structures, which could then be used to facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The exposure of kernel memory information creates valuable intelligence for threat actors attempting to develop targeted exploits, as they could use the leaked information to bypass security mechanisms or understand system internals better. This vulnerability particularly concerns organizations running multiple affected Windows versions, as it could enable attackers to build more effective attack vectors against their infrastructure, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2018-8477 primarily involves applying the official security patches released by Microsoft as part of their regular security updates. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the relevant cumulative updates and security patches for all affected Windows versions, particularly focusing on systems running older operating systems that may not receive extended support. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems are updated promptly, while also considering additional protective measures such as enhanced monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns or unauthorized information disclosure attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the information gathering phase, potentially supporting later stages of attack such as privilege escalation or defense evasion techniques. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems that may not have received the necessary updates, as this information disclosure could serve as a stepping stone for more advanced persistent threats.