CVE-2019-1489 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Remote Desktop Protocol Information Disclosure Vulnerability'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1489 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows Remote Desktop Protocol implementation that affects multiple Windows operating systems including Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2019. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory handling errors that can lead to unauthorized data exposure, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where remote desktop services are extensively utilized. The issue stems from the RDP component's insufficient validation of memory objects during protocol processing, creating opportunities for malicious actors to extract sensitive information from system memory.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves improper handling of memory objects within the RDP stack, specifically when processing certain protocol messages or data structures. When a remote attacker establishes a connection to a vulnerable RDP service, the protocol implementation fails to properly validate or sanitize memory allocations, allowing for potential information leakage through memory corruption or manipulation techniques. This flaw is categorized as a memory corruption vulnerability and maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information. The vulnerability manifests when legitimate RDP connections are established, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers who gain access to the network or through lateral movement techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-1489 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents could contain sensitive data such as credentials, session tokens, or other confidential information that could be leveraged for further attacks. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to obtain authentication tokens or other credentials stored in memory, enabling them to escalate privileges or move laterally within a network. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where RDP is commonly used for remote administration, as it could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems without proper authentication. The attack vector requires network connectivity to the target system and does not require authentication to the RDP service itself, making it a significant threat to organizations with exposed RDP endpoints.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates that address this vulnerability, which are available through Windows Update or Microsoft's security bulletin MS19-148. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit exposure of RDP services to trusted networks only, while implementing additional monitoring for unusual RDP connection patterns or authentication attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1021.001 for Remote Services and T1046 for Network Service Scanning, highlighting the reconnaissance and exploitation techniques that attackers might employ. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure all systems remain protected against this and similar memory handling vulnerabilities that could compromise system integrity and confidentiality.