Zero-day vulnerability in Windows

Privilege escalation
CVE-2015-1769

Attackers used USB to infect computers with the malware at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in Iran.
The .LNK vulnerability was also exploited by the Equation Group, uncovered by researchers at Kaspersky Lab.

Known malware:

Fanny

Vulnerability details

Advisory: SB2015081101 - Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows

Vulnerable component: Windows

CVE-ID: CVE-2015-1769

CVSSv3 score: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H/RL:O/RC:C

CWE-ID: CWE-59 - Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

Description:

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

The vulnerability exists due to improper processing of symbolic links by Mount Manager. By inserting a specially crafted USB device into the system, an attacker can create arbitrary files and execute malicious code with SYSTEM privileges.

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

Note: the vulnerability was being actively exploited.

External links:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms15-085.aspx https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/srd/2015/08/11/defending-against-cve-2015-1769-a-logical-issue-e...
https://cdn4.esetstatic.com/eset/US/resources/docs/white-papers/Windows_Exploitation_in_2015.pdf
https://threatpost.com/microsoft-patches-usb-related-flaw-used-in-targeted-attacks/114240/
https://threats.kaspersky.com/en/vulnerability/KLA10646/
https://www.sophos.com/en-us/threat-center/threat-analyses/vulnerabilities/VET-000786.aspx
http://www.securityweek.com/microsoft-adobe-patch-dozens-security-vulnerabilities

About zero-day vulnerabilities

Zero-day vulnerability is an undisclosed vulnerability in software that hackers can exploit to compromise computer programs, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, penetrate networks, etc. We consider vulnerability a zero-day when there is no solution provided from software vendor and the vulnerability is being actively exploited by malicious actors.

Zero-day candidate is a potential zero-day vulnerability in software which might have been used in targeted attacks, however there is no evidence to support this suggestion.