#VU5191 Privilege escalation in Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2014-1812

Vulnerability identifier: #VU5191

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 8.6 [CVSS:4.0/AV:A/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2014-1812

CWE-ID: CWE-255

Exploitation vector: Local network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Windows
Operating systems & Components / Operating system
Windows Server
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Microsoft

Description
The vulnerability allows a remote authenticated attacker to obtain elevated privileges on the target system.

The weakness exists due to the method passwords are distributed when configured using group policy preference. A remote authenticated attacker can obtain sensitive credential information and consequently gain privileges by leveraging access to the SYSVOL share.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may result in arbitrary code execution on the vulnerable system.

Note: the vulnerability was being actively exploited.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows: Vista, 7, 8 - 8.1

Windows Server: 2008 R2 - 2008, 2012 R2 - 2012

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External links
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms14-025

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote authenticated user via the local network (LAN).

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.