CVE-2019-1315 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows Error Reporting manager improperly handles hard links, aka 'Windows Error Reporting Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-1339, CVE-2019-1342.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1315 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Windows Error Reporting manager component that stems from improper handling of hard links. This vulnerability specifically affects Windows operating systems and enables attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The flaw resides in how the Windows Error Reporting manager processes hard link structures during error handling operations, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate system files and gain unauthorized administrative access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of hard link creation and resolution within the Windows Error Reporting framework. When the system processes error reports, it creates hard links to specific file locations as part of its normal operation. Attackers can exploit this behavior by creating malicious hard links that point to protected system files, allowing them to modify or replace critical system components with malicious payloads. This exploitation technique leverages the trust model inherent in Windows file system operations where hard links are considered legitimate file references. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-264 due to improper privileges management and falls within the ATT&CK matrix under privilege escalation techniques such as 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and 'T1068'.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Once elevated to system level, adversaries can manipulate system configurations, install rootkits, modify security policies, and access sensitive data that would otherwise be protected. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges initially, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers who have already gained limited access to a system. The attack surface is broad as the Windows Error Reporting manager is active across all Windows versions that include this component, affecting both desktop and server operating systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1315 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Microsoft released security updates in the July 2019 security bulletin that address this vulnerability through proper handling of hard link operations within the Windows Error Reporting manager. Organizations should prioritize applying these patches across all affected systems, particularly those running vulnerable Windows versions. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict file system permissions, monitoring for unusual hard link creation patterns, and utilizing application whitelisting solutions to prevent unauthorized execution of malicious payloads. Network segmentation and privilege separation can also reduce the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security audits should monitor for any signs of hard link manipulation within system directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper file system handling in security-critical components and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of system management utilities.