Vulnerabilities > CVE-2015-0016 - Path Traversal vulnerability in Microsoft products

047910
CVSS 9.3 - CRITICAL
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
MEDIUM
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
COMPLETE
Integrity impact
COMPLETE
Availability impact
COMPLETE
network
microsoft
CWE-22
critical
nessus
exploit available
metasploit
NVD
Published: 2015-01-13
Updated: 2018-10-12

Summary

Directory traversal vulnerability in the TS WebProxy (aka TSWbPrxy) component in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1 allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a crafted pathname in an executable file, as demonstrated by a transition from Low Integrity to Medium Integrity, aka "Directory Traversal Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
OS
Microsoft
9

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Relative Path Traversal
    An attacker exploits a weakness in input validation on the target by supplying a specially constructed path utilizing dot and slash characters for the purpose of obtaining access to arbitrary files or resources. An attacker modifies a known path on the target in order to reach material that is not available through intended channels. These attacks normally involve adding additional path separators (/ or \) and/or dots (.), or encodings thereof, in various combinations in order to reach parent directories or entirely separate trees of the target's directory structure.
  • Directory Traversal
    An attacker with access to file system resources, either directly or via application logic, will use various file path specification or navigation mechanisms such as ".." in path strings and absolute paths to extend their range of access to inappropriate areas of the file system. The attacker attempts to either explore the file system for recon purposes or access directories and files that are intended to be restricted from their access. Exploring the file system can be achieved through constructing paths presented to directory listing programs, such as "ls" and 'dir', or through specially crafted programs that attempt to explore the file system. The attacker engaging in this type of activity is searching for information that can be used later in a more exploitive attack. Access to restricted directories or files can be achieved through modification of path references utilized by system applications.
  • File System Function Injection, Content Based
    An attack of this type exploits the host's trust in executing remote content including binary files. The files are poisoned with a malicious payload (targeting the file systems accessible by the target software) by the attacker and may be passed through standard channels such as via email, and standard web content like PDF and multimedia files. The attacker exploits known vulnerabilities or handling routines in the target processes. Vulnerabilities of this type have been found in a wide variety of commercial applications from Microsoft Office to Adobe Acrobat and Apple Safari web browser. When the attacker knows the standard handling routines and can identify vulnerabilities and entry points they can be exploited by otherwise seemingly normal content. Once the attack is executed, the attackers' program can access relative directories such as C:\Program Files or other standard system directories to launch further attacks. In a worst case scenario, these programs are combined with other propagation logic and work as a virus.
  • Using Slashes and URL Encoding Combined to Bypass Validation Logic
    This attack targets the encoding of the URL combined with the encoding of the slash characters. An attacker can take advantage of the multiple way of encoding an URL and abuse the interpretation of the URL. An URL may contain special character that need special syntax handling in order to be interpreted. Special characters are represented using a percentage character followed by two digits representing the octet code of the original character (%HEX-CODE). For instance US-ASCII space character would be represented with %20. This is often referred as escaped ending or percent-encoding. Since the server decodes the URL from the requests, it may restrict the access to some URL paths by validating and filtering out the URL requests it received. An attacker will try to craft an URL with a sequence of special characters which once interpreted by the server will be equivalent to a forbidden URL. It can be difficult to protect against this attack since the URL can contain other format of encoding such as UTF-8 encoding, Unicode-encoding, etc.
  • Manipulating Input to File System Calls
    An attacker manipulates inputs to the target software which the target software passes to file system calls in the OS. The goal is to gain access to, and perhaps modify, areas of the file system that the target software did not intend to be accessible.

Exploit-Db

descriptionMS15-004 Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Web Proxy IE Sandbox Escape. CVE-2015-0016. Local exploit for windows platform
fileexploits/windows/local/35983.rb
idEDB-ID:35983
last seen2016-02-04
modified2015-02-03
platformwindows
port
published2015-02-03
reportermetasploit
sourcehttps://www.exploit-db.com/download/35983/
titleMS15-004 Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Web Proxy IE Sandbox Escape
typelocal

Metasploit

descriptionThis module abuses a process creation policy in Internet Explorer's sandbox; specifically, Microsoft's RemoteApp and Desktop Connections runtime proxy, TSWbPrxy.exe. This vulnerability allows the attacker to escape the Protected Mode and execute code with Medium Integrity. At the moment, this module only bypass Protected Mode on Windows 7 SP1 and prior (32 bits). This module has been tested successfully on Windows 7 SP1 (32 bits) with IE 8 and IE 11.
idMSF:EXPLOIT/WINDOWS/LOCAL/MS15_004_TSWBPROXY
last seen2020-06-05
modified2017-07-24
published2015-02-02
references
reporterRapid7
sourcehttps://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master//modules/exploits/windows/local/ms15_004_tswbproxy.rb
titleMS15-004 Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Web Proxy IE Sandbox Escape

Msbulletin

bulletin_idMS15-004
bulletin_url
date2015-01-13T00:00:00
impactElevation of Privilege
knowledgebase_id3025421
knowledgebase_url
severityImportant
titleVulnerability in Windows Components Could Allow Elevation of Privilege

Nessus

NASL familyWindows : Microsoft Bulletins
NASL idSMB_NT_MS15-004.NASL
descriptionThe remote Windows host is affected by an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the TS WebProxy Windows component due to a failure to properly sanitize file paths. An attacker can exploit this to gain the same rights as the current user.
last seen2020-06-01
modified2020-06-02
plugin id80493
published2015-01-13
reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2015-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/80493
titleMS15-004: Vulnerability in Windows Components Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (3025421)
code
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(80493);
  script_version("1.12");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/11/25");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2015-0016");
  script_bugtraq_id(71965);
  script_xref(name:"EDB-ID", value:"35983");
  script_xref(name:"MSFT", value:"MS15-004");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"3023299");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"3019978");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"3020387");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"3020388");
  script_xref(name:"IAVA", value:"2015-A-0010");

  script_name(english:"MS15-004: Vulnerability in Windows Components Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (3025421)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks the version of TSWbPrxy.exe.");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The remote Windows host is affected by an elevation of privilege
vulnerability.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"The remote Windows host is affected by an elevation of privilege
vulnerability in the TS WebProxy Windows component due to a failure to
properly sanitize file paths. An attacker can exploit this to gain the
same rights as the current user.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/SecurityBulletins/2015/ms15-004");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Microsoft has released a set of patches for Windows Vista, 7, 2008 R2,
8, 2012, 8.1, and 2012 R2.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:H/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2015-0016");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploited_by_malware", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"metasploit_name", value:'MS15-004 Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Web Proxy IE Sandbox Escape');
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_metasploit", value:"true");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2015/01/13");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2015/01/13");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2015/01/13");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:microsoft:windows");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"stig_severity", value:"II");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Windows : Microsoft Bulletins");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2015-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("smb_hotfixes.nasl", "smb_enum_services.nasl", "ms_bulletin_checks_possible.nasl");
  script_require_keys("SMB/MS_Bulletin_Checks/Possible");
  script_require_ports(139, 445, "Host/patch_management_checks");

  exit(0);
}

include("audit.inc");
include("smb_hotfixes_fcheck.inc");
include("smb_hotfixes.inc");
include("smb_func.inc");
include("misc_func.inc");

get_kb_item_or_exit("SMB/MS_Bulletin_Checks/Possible");

bulletin = 'MS15-004';
kbs  = make_list(
  "3023299",
  "3019978",
  "3020387",
  "3020388"
);

if (get_kb_item("Host/patch_management_checks")) hotfix_check_3rd_party(bulletin:bulletin, kbs:kbs, severity:SECURITY_HOLE);

get_kb_item_or_exit("SMB/Registry/Enumerated");
get_kb_item_or_exit("SMB/WindowsVersion", exit_code:1);

if (hotfix_check_sp_range(vista:'2', win7:'1', win8:'0', win81:'0') <= 0) audit(AUDIT_OS_SP_NOT_VULN);

productname = get_kb_item_or_exit("SMB/ProductName", exit_code:1);

# Windows Server 2008 is not affected. Vista and 2008 R2 are affected.
if ("Server 2008" >< productname && "Server 2008 R2" >!< productname && "Small Business Server 2011" >!< productname) audit(AUDIT_OS_SP_NOT_VULN);

share = hotfix_get_systemdrive(as_share:TRUE, exit_on_fail:TRUE);
if (!is_accessible_share(share:share)) audit(AUDIT_SHARE_FAIL, share);

vuln = 0;

##############
# KB 3023299 #
##############
if (
  # Vista only
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.0", sp:2, file:"TSWbPrxy.exe", version:"6.1.7600.21909", min_version:"6.1.7600.20000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:'3023299') ||
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.0", sp:2, file:"TSWbPrxy.exe", version:"6.1.7600.17715", min_version:"6.1.7600.16000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:'3023299')
) vuln++;

##############
# KB 3019978 #
##############
if (
  # Windows 7 / Server 2008 R2
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.1", sp:1, file:"TSWbPrxy.exe", version:"6.1.7601.22907", min_version:"6.1.7601.22000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:'3019978') ||
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.1", sp:1, file:"TSWbPrxy.exe", version:"6.1.7601.18699", min_version:"6.1.7600.16000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:'3019978') ||

  # Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.2", sp:0, file:"TSWbPrxy.exe", version:"6.2.9200.21329", min_version:"6.2.9200.20000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:'3019978') ||
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.2", sp:0, file:"TSWbPrxy.exe", version:"6.2.9200.17213", min_version:"6.2.9200.16000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:'3019978') ||

  # Windows 8.1 / Windows Server 2012 R2
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.3", sp:0, file:"TSWbPrxy.exe", version:"6.3.9600.17555", min_version:"6.3.9600.16000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:'3019978')
) vuln++;

##############
# KB 3020387 #
##############
if (
  # Windows 7 / Server 2008 R2
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.1", sp:1, file:"TSWbPrxy.exe", version:"6.2.9200.21329", min_version:"6.2.9600.20000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:'3020387') ||
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.1", sp:1, file:"TSWbPrxy.exe", version:"6.2.9200.17212", min_version:"6.2.9200.16000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:'3020387')
) vuln++;

##############
# KB 3020388 #
##############
if (
  # Windows 7 / Server 2008 R2
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.1", sp:1, file:"TSWbPrxy.exe", version:"6.3.9600.17553", min_version:"6.3.9600.16000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:'3020388')
) vuln++;

if (vuln)
{
  set_kb_item(name:'SMB/Missing/'+bulletin, value:TRUE);
  hotfix_security_hole();
  hotfix_check_fversion_end();
  exit(0);
}
else
{
  hotfix_check_fversion_end();
  audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, 'affected');
}

Packetstorm

data sourcehttps://packetstormsecurity.com/files/download/130201/ms15_004_tswbproxy.rb.txt
idPACKETSTORM:130201
last seen2016-12-05
published2015-02-02
reporterjuan vazquez
sourcehttps://packetstormsecurity.com/files/130201/MS15-004-Microsoft-Remote-Desktop-Services-Web-Proxy-IE-Sandbox-Escape.html
titleMS15-004 Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Web Proxy IE Sandbox Escape

References