Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows

1) Path traversal

EUVDB-ID: #VU5578

Risk: Critical

CVSSv3.1: 9.2 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2015-0016

CWE-ID: CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

Exploit availability: Yes

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to gain elevated privileges on the target system.

The weakness exists due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input within TS WebProxy Windows component. A remote attacker can trick the victim into downloading a specially crafted file and execute it with privileges of the current user.  

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may result in full control of the vulnerable system.

Note: the vulnerability was being actively exploited.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows: Vista - 8.1

Windows Server: 2008 R2 - 2012

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:Vista:*:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:RT:*:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2008 R2:*:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:

External links

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms15-004

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.