CVE-2019-0601 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Human Interface Devices (HID) component improperly handles objects in memory, aka 'HID Information Disclosure Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0600.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0601 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Human Interface Devices (HID) component of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This issue specifically manifests when the HID subsystem fails to properly manage memory objects during device enumeration and interaction processes, creating potential pathways for unauthorized information exposure. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2016, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these operating systems across enterprise environments. The flaw is categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure Through Output with Sensitive Information," indicating that the vulnerability enables attackers to extract sensitive data from memory locations that should remain protected. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to gain access to information that might include system credentials, personal data, or other sensitive operational details that could be leveraged for further attacks.
The technical mechanism behind CVE-2019-0601 involves improper memory handling within the HID driver component when processing device input/output operations. When a HID device is connected or interacted with, the system's HID subsystem allocates memory buffers to handle the device communication protocols. The vulnerability occurs during these memory allocation and deallocation processes where the system does not properly validate or sanitize memory objects before they are accessed or returned to user applications. This improper handling allows for potential memory corruption or information leakage where adjacent memory locations containing sensitive data may be inadvertently exposed. The flaw operates at the kernel level within the Windows HID driver framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges in many scenarios. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability can be triggered through normal HID device operations, making it difficult to detect and prevent through conventional monitoring approaches.
From an attacker's perspective, the operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. The leaked information could include cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other sensitive data that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within a compromised network. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves the use of legitimate system tools and interfaces for information gathering, as attackers could leverage the HID subsystem to extract sensitive data from memory. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1003, which covers credential access through various methods including memory scraping, making it a significant concern for organizations that rely heavily on Windows-based infrastructure. Organizations with high-security requirements, such as financial institutions, government agencies, or healthcare providers, face particular risk as the information disclosed could potentially include personally identifiable information, financial data, or other sensitive operational details that could be monetized or used for targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-0601 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Microsoft as part of their regular update cycle. The vulnerability was addressed through the Microsoft Security Update for Windows (MS19-017) which included fixes for the HID driver memory handling mechanisms. System administrators should prioritize applying these patches across all affected Windows systems, particularly those running older operating systems that may not receive extended support. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit device connectivity, disabling unnecessary HID devices through group policy configurations, and monitoring for unusual HID device connections or access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing memory protection mechanisms and ensuring that their endpoint detection and response solutions are configured to detect anomalous HID driver behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in kernel-level drivers and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of system components that interact with hardware devices. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should include examination of HID-related components and their memory handling practices to prevent similar issues from emerging in the future.