CVE-2019-1100 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-2019-1094, CVE-2019-1095, CVE-2019-1098, CVE-2019-1099, CVE-2019-1101, CVE-2019-1116.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2023
The Windows Graphics Device Interface GDI component vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure weakness that affects the operating system's graphics rendering subsystem. This flaw resides within the kernel-mode driver components responsible for handling graphical operations and memory management. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the GDI subsystem fails to properly validate memory access patterns during graphic processing operations, potentially exposing sensitive kernel memory contents to user-mode applications. The issue impacts multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, making it a widespread concern for enterprise environments. According to CWE-200, this vulnerability falls under information exposure categories where system resources are inadvertently made accessible to unauthorized entities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the kernel level, bypassing typical user-mode security boundaries that protect system integrity.
The technical implementation of this information disclosure vulnerability occurs through improper memory handling within the GDI graphics subsystem. When applications perform certain graphics operations such as drawing operations, bitmap manipulations, or color space conversions, the GDI component may not properly enforce memory access controls. This allows malicious applications to potentially read kernel memory regions that should remain protected from user-mode access. The flaw typically manifests during operations involving device context management, memory allocation for graphical buffers, or when processing certain graphics API calls. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specific graphics operations that trigger the memory disclosure behavior, potentially extracting sensitive information including cryptographic keys, system pointers, or other confidential data stored in kernel memory. The vulnerability is classified under ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1063 for security software discovery, as it enables further exploitation through information gathering. The memory disclosure can expose not only general system information but also potentially sensitive data that could be used for privilege escalation or system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks within the Windows environment. Organizations running affected systems face potential exposure of confidential data, including system configuration details, memory addresses, and potentially sensitive cryptographic material. The vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers to gather intelligence about the target system, identify running processes, or discover security boundaries that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts. This information disclosure capability significantly weakens the security posture of affected systems and can serve as a stepping stone for privilege escalation attacks. Network administrators and security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their overall risk assessment, particularly in environments where multiple applications interact with the graphics subsystem. The vulnerability's impact is exacerbated when combined with other exploits, as the leaked memory information can provide attackers with crucial details for crafting more effective attacks. Organizations may experience increased risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Microsoft has released security updates that address the memory handling issues within the GDI component, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches across all affected systems. System administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious graphics operations and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of exploit prevention measures including kernel patch protection, address space layout randomization, and controlled folder access can help reduce the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify applications that may be triggering the vulnerable code paths within the GDI subsystem. Network segmentation and privilege separation can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous graphics processing activities that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should include checks for proper GDI memory handling to ensure that mitigations are effective and that no additional attack vectors remain unaddressed.