Overview
CVE-2025-32709 is a crucial vulnerability found in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, a critical component of the Windows operating system. This vulnerability, classified as a use-after-free flaw, poses a serious risk, allowing an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. Given the ubiquity of Windows operating systems in business and private use, this vulnerability has the potential to impact millions of users worldwide. This flaw is especially critical due to its potential for system compromise or data leakage, leading to severe consequences if exploited.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-32709
Severity: High (CVSS Score: 7.8)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
Windows | All versions with Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock
How the Exploit Works
The use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock involves an attacker exploiting the system’s erroneous use of memory objects after they have been ‘freed’ or deleted. The attacker needs to have local access and low-level privileges to exploit this flaw. By exploiting this, an attacker can manipulate the system’s memory, corrupt data, crash the system, or potentially execute arbitrary code, leading to privilege escalation.
Conceptual Example Code
Here’s a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited:
#include <windows.h>
int main() {
HANDLE hDevice;
DWORD bResult;
DWORD junk = 0;
hDevice = CreateFile("\\\\.\\WinSock", GENERIC_READ | GENERIC_WRITE, 0, NULL, CREATE_ALWAYS, FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL, NULL);
if(hDevice == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
printf("CreateFile Failed: %d\n", GetLastError());
return 1;
}
char shellcode[] = "malicious_shellcode";
bResult = DeviceIoControl(hDevice, 0x222003, shellcode, sizeof(shellcode), NULL, 0, &junk, (LPOVERLAPPED)NULL);
if (!bResult) {
printf("DeviceIoControl Failed: %d\n", GetLastError());
}
CloseHandle(hDevice);
return 0;
}In this conceptual example, the attacker writes malicious shellcode to the handle of the driver, leading to the execution of arbitrary code and privilege escalation.
Mitigation and Recommendations
To mitigate this vulnerability, users should apply the vendor patch as soon as it is available. Until then, the use of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can be used as a temporary mitigation. Regularly updating and patching systems is also a best practice that will significantly reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities.