CVE-2019-0775 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 CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0702, CVE-2019-0755, CVE-2019-0767, CVE-2019-0782.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0775 represents a critical information disclosure weakness within the Windows kernel component that affects multiple versions of the operating system. This flaw specifically manifests when the kernel fails to properly manage memory objects, creating potential pathways for unauthorized data exposure. The vulnerability operates at the core level of the Windows operating system where kernel-mode drivers and system components interact with memory management structures. Security researchers have classified this issue as particularly dangerous because it resides within the fundamental kernel architecture that governs system stability and security boundaries. The affected Windows versions include Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2016, making it a widespread concern across enterprise and consumer environments. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" in software systems, indicating that the flaw directly enables unauthorized access to sensitive information through improper handling of system resources. The vulnerability is distinct from several related issues including CVE-2019-0702, CVE-2019-0755, CVE-2019-0767, and CVE-2019-0782, which demonstrates that this represents a unique memory management flaw rather than a broader class of kernel vulnerabilities. The technical implementation involves the kernel's memory management subsystem failing to properly validate or sanitize memory object references during certain operations, potentially allowing malicious actors to extract information about system memory structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-0775 extends beyond simple information leakage to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the Windows environment. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gather sensitive information about kernel memory layouts, which might aid in developing more targeted exploits for other system components. The vulnerability's location within the kernel means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with insights into system internals, including memory addresses, kernel object structures, and potentially even information about other running processes. This type of information disclosure vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" but more specifically relates to how attackers might use information gathering to enhance their attack vectors. The memory handling flaw could potentially be leveraged in combination with other vulnerabilities to achieve privilege escalation or to bypass security mechanisms that depend on proper memory isolation. Organizations running affected systems face significant risk as this vulnerability could be exploited by both malicious actors and advanced persistent threat groups seeking to understand system configurations and identify potential attack surfaces. The exploitation of this vulnerability typically requires local access or a specific attack vector that allows code execution within the kernel context, making it particularly concerning for environments where privilege escalation attacks are possible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-0775 primarily focus on applying the official Microsoft security updates that address the kernel memory handling flaw. Organizations should prioritize patch management processes to ensure all affected Windows systems receive the necessary updates as soon as possible. The Microsoft Security Response Center has released specific patches for this vulnerability that correct the improper memory object handling within the kernel, requiring system administrators to implement these updates through standard enterprise patch management procedures. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to critical systems and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify suspicious kernel-level activities or memory access anomalies. The vulnerability's classification as a kernel-level information disclosure makes it particularly important to maintain up-to-date security configurations and to regularly audit system memory management settings. Organizations should also implement principle of least privilege controls to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for the presence of this specific vulnerability across all Windows systems, particularly those running older versions of the operating system that may be more susceptible to exploitation. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the applied patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications or system functionality.