CVE-2019-1016 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-2019-1013, CVE-2019-1015, 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, leading to unauthorized data exposure from system memory regions. The issue resides within the kernel-mode drivers responsible for graphics processing and display management, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the core level of Windows functionality. The vulnerability impacts multiple Windows versions including Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and various Windows 10 releases, creating widespread exposure across enterprise and consumer environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper memory handling within the GDI subsystem where buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions allow attackers to access sensitive data that should remain protected within kernel memory spaces. When legitimate applications interact with graphics rendering functions, the flawed memory management can cause adjacent memory regions to be inadvertently exposed, potentially revealing kernel pointers, credential information, or other sensitive system data. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and falls under the broader category of memory safety issues. The flaw typically requires minimal privileges to exploit, as it operates within the legitimate graphics processing pathways that applications naturally utilize for display operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage, as the exposed information could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, credential harvesting, or system compromise. Attackers can leverage this information disclosure to gain insights into kernel memory layouts, which may facilitate subsequent exploitation attempts such as those targeting the Windows kernel or other system components. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the Information Gathering phase, specifically under T1082 for System Information Discovery, where adversaries collect information about the target system to plan further operations. Organizations with exposed systems face potential risks including unauthorized access to sensitive data, system integrity compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the primary fix involves correcting the memory handling within the GDI component. System administrators should prioritize patching across all affected Windows versions, particularly in enterprise environments where the risk of exploitation is highest. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting to restrict graphics-intensive applications, monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns, and applying network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of kernel-mode security in modern operating systems and highlights the need for comprehensive memory safety testing in graphics rendering components. Organizations should also consider implementing memory protection mechanisms such as Data Execution Prevention and Address Space Layout Randomization to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts.