CVE-2018-0868 : Security Advisory and Response

Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability in Microsoft Windows

Understanding CVE-2018-0868

What is CVE-2018-0868?

The CVE-2018-0868 vulnerability, known as the "Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," allows unauthorized elevation of privilege in Windows Installer. It affects various versions of Microsoft Windows.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0868

This vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized users gaining elevated privileges on affected Windows systems, potentially leading to further exploitation and compromise of sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0868

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the sanitization process of input data in Windows Installer allows attackers to exploit the system and escalate their privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1
Windows 7 SP1
Windows 8.1 and RT 8.1
Windows Server 2012 and R2
Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709
Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server, version 1709

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating input data to execute arbitrary code and gain elevated privileges on the affected Windows systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Microsoft to address the vulnerability promptly.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities indicating exploitation attempts.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user permissions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and operating systems to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for users to recognize and report potential security threats.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all Windows systems running the affected versions are updated with the latest security patches from Microsoft to mitigate the CVE-2018-0868 vulnerability.