CVE-2009-1123KEV · OVERDUE

Microsoft Windows Improper Input Validation Vulnerability

High · published June 10, 2009

Patch now

Confirmed exploited, and the score agrees

CVSS calls it high at 7.8. It is confirmed in active exploitation. It sits in the 92.0th percentile for exploit probability.

1674
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
7.8
EPSS
5%
Percentile
92.0
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

🚨 A crafty application could let local users seize control of your Windows kernel! 🔥 Think of it like a rogue employee sneaking into the server room and adjusting crucial settings without anyone checking their ID. This vulnerability allows them to tamper with the core functionality of your operating system, similarly to how someone could mess with your company's network if they had unrestricted access. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, allowing them to execute arbitrary code at the kernel level. This means they can effectively run roughshod over your system, potentially leading to data loss, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or even a complete system takeover. It's a serious breach that could jeopardize the security of your entire environment!

Put simply

Think of it like a rogue employee sneaking into the server room and adjusting crucial settings without anyone checking their ID. This vulnerability allows them to tamper with the core functionality of your operating system, similarly to how someone could mess with your company's network if they had unrestricted access. The Windows kernel fails to properly validate changes to unspecified kernel objects, which can be exploited by local users through a specially crafted application. Essentially, it opens a door for privilege escalation attacks.

What to do

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, allowing them to execute arbitrary code at the kernel level. This means they can effectively run roughshod over your system, potentially leading to data loss, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or even a complete system takeover. It's a serious breach that could jeopardize the security of your entire environment! Immediately apply patches for affected systems, including Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2/SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista Gold/SP1/SP2, and Server 2008 SP2. Additionally, ensure that local user permissions are restricted and monitor for unusual activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. 🛡️ You've got this! By following these steps, you can lock down your systems and bounce back stronger than ever! ⚡

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
7.8 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.04878 · 92.0th percentile
Published
2009-06-10T18:00Z
KEV added
2022-03-03 · due 2022-03-24
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 03 MAR 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Mar 24
    kev
  • 10 JUN 18:00Z
    The kernel in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2, and Server 2008 SP2 does not properly validate changes to…
    cvelistv5