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CVE-2019-1015: Information Disclosure in Microsoft Windows 7

Medium
VulnerabilityCVE-2019-1015cvecve-2019-1015
Published: Wed Jun 12 2019 (06/12/2019, 13:49:39 UTC)
Source: CVE
Vendor/Project: Microsoft
Product: Windows 7

Description

An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows GDI component improperly discloses the contents of its memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could obtain information to further compromise the user’s system. There are multiple ways an attacker could exploit the vulnerability, such as by convincing a user to open a specially crafted document, or by convincing a user to visit an untrusted webpage. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows GDI component handles objects in memory.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 07/04/2025, 09:42:36 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2019-1015 is an information disclosure vulnerability affecting the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system, specifically within the Graphics Device Interface (GDI) component. The GDI is responsible for representing graphical objects and transmitting them to output devices such as monitors and printers. This vulnerability arises because the Windows GDI component improperly handles memory objects, leading to unintended disclosure of memory contents. An attacker exploiting this flaw could gain access to sensitive information stored in memory, which could be leveraged to further compromise the affected system. Exploitation vectors include convincing a user to open a specially crafted document or visit a malicious website, both of which could trigger the vulnerability without requiring user interaction beyond these actions. The vulnerability does not allow direct code execution but compromises confidentiality by leaking potentially sensitive data. Microsoft addressed this issue by releasing a security update that corrects how the GDI component manages memory objects, preventing unauthorized memory disclosure. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.7, indicating a medium severity level, with the attack vector being local (AV:L), requiring high attack complexity (AC:H), low privileges (PR:L), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact is high on confidentiality (C:H) but does not affect integrity or availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported, but the vulnerability's presence in Windows 7, an operating system still in use in some environments, makes it relevant for security considerations.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2019-1015 primarily concerns the confidentiality of sensitive data processed or stored on Windows 7 systems. Although Windows 7 reached end-of-life in January 2020, many organizations, especially in sectors with legacy systems such as manufacturing, healthcare, and government, may still operate these systems. Exploitation could lead to leakage of sensitive information, including credentials, cryptographic keys, or proprietary data, which could facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within networks. This risk is heightened in environments where Windows 7 machines are connected to critical infrastructure or handle sensitive personal data subject to GDPR regulations. The medium severity and local attack vector imply that attackers would need some level of access or ability to convince users to open malicious documents or visit malicious websites, which may be feasible in targeted phishing campaigns. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time. Organizations relying on Windows 7 should consider the potential for data leakage and the associated compliance and reputational risks.

Mitigation Recommendations

Given that Windows 7 is out of official support, the primary mitigation is to upgrade affected systems to a supported and actively maintained operating system version, such as Windows 10 or later, which includes security improvements and patches for known vulnerabilities. For environments where upgrading is not immediately feasible, organizations should apply any available security updates or extended security updates (ESU) if enrolled. Additionally, organizations should implement strict access controls to limit local access to Windows 7 machines, reducing the likelihood of local exploitation. User education is critical to prevent opening suspicious documents or visiting untrusted websites, which are common exploitation vectors. Network segmentation can also help isolate legacy systems to minimize potential lateral movement if a system is compromised. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can help detect anomalous activities indicative of exploitation attempts. Finally, organizations should conduct regular audits to identify and inventory Windows 7 systems and prioritize their remediation or replacement.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
microsoft
Date Reserved
2018-11-26T00:00:00
Cisa Enriched
false
Cvss Version
3.1
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 682cd0f71484d88663aead43

Added to database: 5/20/2025, 6:59:03 PM

Last enriched: 7/4/2025, 9:42:36 AM

Last updated: 7/28/2025, 8:14:31 PM

Views: 19

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