Windows 10 Controlled Folder Access Vulnerability

A vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft's Windows 10 ransomware protection feature called Controlled Folder Access that can be exploited by a local attacker to execute malicious code on a targeted system.

Threat ID:: CC-2717
Category:
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:
Published:: 10 October 2018 12:00 AM

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Summary

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Windows 10

Microsoft Windows 10 - All versions

Threat details

The vulnerability lies in the whitelisting of applications by the Controlled Folder Access feature, where a malicious dynamic-link library (DLL) file can be injected into Windows Explorer on launch to bypass the feature. The exploit is achieved by the modification and merging of Windows registry keys. This ensures the malicious DLLs are loaded within Windows Explorer's process, influencing its behaviour and compromising the affected device.

The exploit can go undetected by Windows Defender and some anti-virus products. The researcher who disclosed the vulnerability has notified Microsoft with the Proof-of-Concept and presented it publicly at a conference.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	At the time of publication there is no indication if and when an update that addresses this vulnerability will be released. Additionally, to prevent and detect an infection, ensure that: A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails. All operating systems, anti-virus and other security products are kept up-to-date. Regular anti-virus and security scans are performed on your organisation’s estate. All day-to-day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts. Strong password policies are in place. Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity. User accounts accessed from affected devices should be reset on a clean computer. Your organisation adopts a holistic all-round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps to Cyber Security.

Type

Step

At the time of publication there is no indication if and when an update that addresses this vulnerability will be released.

Additionally, to prevent and detect an infection, ensure that:

A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails.
All operating systems, anti-virus and other security products are kept up-to-date.
Regular anti-virus and security scans are performed on your organisation’s estate.
All day-to-day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts.
Strong password policies are in place.
Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity.
User accounts accessed from affected devices should be reset on a clean computer.
Your organisation adopts a holistic all-round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps to Cyber Security.

Last edited: 17 February 2020 12:57 pm