Microsoft Windows up to XP win32k.sys PostMessage input validation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as problematic has been identified in Microsoft Windows 7/Server 2003/Server 2008/Vista/XP. This issue affects the function PostMessage of the file win32k.sys. The manipulation results in input validation. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2012-0157. Attacking locally is a requirement. Furthermore, an exploit is available. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Microsoft Windows 7/Server 2003/Server 2008/Vista/XP (Operating System). Affected is the function PostMessage of the file win32k.sys. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, and integrity. CVE summarizes:

win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 does not properly handle window messaging, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application that calls the PostMessage function, aka "PostMessage Function Vulnerability."

The weakness was published 03/13/2012 by Nikolaos Bougalis as MS12-018 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). The advisory is shared for download at technet.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2012-0157 since 12/13/2011. The attack needs to be approached locally. The requirement for exploitation is a authentication. Technical details and a private exploit are known.

It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 58330 (MS12-018: Vulnerability in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2641653)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows : Microsoft Bulletins and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 90785 (Microsoft Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS12-018)).

Applying the patch MS12-018 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at technet.microsoft.com. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (73530), Tenable (58330), SecurityFocus (BID 52317†), OSVDB (80002†) and Secunia (SA47919†). Similar entries are available at VDB-4801, VDB-4803, VDB-4802 and VDB-4798. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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Support

  • end of life (old version)

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
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CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.4

VulDB Base Score: 7.1
VulDB Temp Score: 6.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 8.4
CNA Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Input validation
CWE: CWE-20
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Access: Private
Status: Proof-of-Concept

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 58330
Nessus Name: MS12-018: Vulnerability in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2641653)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 902907
OpenVAS Name: Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers Privilege Elevation Vulnerability (2641653)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
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Patch: MS12-018

Timelineinfo

12/13/2011 🔍
03/13/2012 +90 days 🔍
03/13/2012 +0 days 🔍
03/13/2012 +0 days 🔍
03/13/2012 +0 days 🔍
03/13/2012 +0 days 🔍
03/13/2012 +0 days 🔍
03/14/2012 +1 days 🔍
03/14/2012 +0 days 🔍
03/15/2012 +1 days 🔍
01/05/2025 +4679 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS12-018
Researcher: Nikolaos Bougalis
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2012-0157 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2012-0157
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-4800

OVAL: 🔍

X-Force: 73530
SecurityFocus: 52317
Secunia: 47919 - Microsoft Windows win32k.sys "PostMessage()" Privilege Escalation, Less Critical
OSVDB: 80002
Vulnerability Center: 34629 - [MS12-018] Microsoft Windows Local Privilege Escalation PostMessage Function Vulnerability, High

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20140213
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 03/15/2012 09:42
Updated: 01/05/2025 12:14
Changes: 03/15/2012 09:42 (51), 08/19/2018 19:51 (25), 03/21/2021 16:44 (7), 03/21/2021 16:48 (2), 03/21/2021 16:54 (1), 10/17/2024 23:04 (26), 01/05/2025 12:14 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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