Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows HelpPane

1) Privilege escalation

EUVDB-ID: #VU6026

Risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 7.3 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2017-0100

CWE-ID: CWE-264 - Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls

Exploit availability: Yes

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to elevate privileges.

The vulnerability exists due to failure to properly authenticate a client in when a DCOM object in Helppane.exe configured to run as the interactive user. A local user can execute specially crafted application and gain elevated privileges once another user is logged in to the same system via Terminal Services or Fast User Switching.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow an attacker to escalate privileges on the system.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows: 7 - 10

Windows Server: 2012 R2 - 2016 10.0.14393.10

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2016:10.0.14393.10:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/MS17-012
https://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=1021

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, proof of concept for this vulnerability is available.