CVE-2019-1013 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows GDI component improperly discloses the contents of its memory, aka 'Windows GDI Information Disclosure Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0968, CVE-2019-0977, CVE-2019-1009, CVE-2019-1010, CVE-2019-1011, CVE-2019-1012, CVE-2019-1015, CVE-2019-1016, CVE-2019-1046, CVE-2019-1047, CVE-2019-1048, CVE-2019-1049, CVE-2019-1050.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2025
The Windows Graphics Device Interface GDI component vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw that affects the operating system's graphics rendering subsystem. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the GDI component fails to properly manage memory access controls during graphics processing operations, leading to unauthorized exposure of sensitive data stored in memory regions. The flaw exists within the kernel-mode graphics drivers that handle device-independent graphics operations, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at a low level within the Windows operating system architecture. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" in software systems, where sensitive information is unintentionally made available to unauthorized actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the GDI subsystem's handling of graphics objects and their associated data structures. When applications interact with graphics rendering functions, the GDI component allocates memory for various graphics elements such as bitmaps, fonts, and drawing operations. However, due to inadequate bounds checking and memory pointer validation, the system fails to properly sanitize memory contents before exposing them to user-mode applications or system processes. This improper memory handling creates opportunities for attackers to access memory regions that should remain protected, potentially exposing sensitive information including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or system configuration data that resides in the same memory space as graphics processing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within the Windows environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive data from system memory, potentially compromising user accounts, system integrity, and overall security posture. The vulnerability affects Windows versions including Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2016, representing a broad attack surface across multiple operating system variants. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005, "Data from Local System," where attackers gather sensitive information from compromised systems. The exposure of memory contents can also facilitate further exploitation attempts, as the leaked information might include pointers to system functions, stack addresses, or other data that could aid in bypassing security mitigations like ASLR.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the primary fix involves correcting the memory management routines within the GDI component. Organizations should prioritize patching across all affected Windows versions, particularly in environments where sensitive data processing occurs. Additional protective measures include implementing enhanced memory protection mechanisms such as Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) to complicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring for unusual graphics processing activity may help detect exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for suspicious memory access patterns and unauthorized data exposure attempts, as this vulnerability can serve as an initial access vector for more comprehensive attacks within enterprise environments.