Security researchers have recently discovered a new vulnerability in the Windows operating system (OS) known as CVE-2022-41055. The vulnerability affects the Human Interface Device (HID) feature in Windows, which manages and communicates with devices, such as keyboards, mice, and touchpads. This vulnerability can result in an attacker obtaining sensitive information from a victim's system, potentially allowing unauthorized access.

In this post, we'll dive into the details of the CVE-2022-41055 vulnerability, providing an overview of the HID feature, an explanation of how the vulnerability works, how it can be exploited, and the recommended steps to mitigate its impact. We'll also provide a code snippet demonstrating the issue and links to original references for further reading.

The Human Interface Device (HID) in Windows

HID is a standardized protocol that allows computer systems and devices like keyboards, mice, touchpads, or game controllers to interact with each other without the need for custom drivers. The HID protocol is built upon the Universal Serial Bus (USB) or Bluetooth interfaces for communication and transport. Windows provides HID support through various libraries and APIs, allowing developers to create custom applications that interact with HID devices.

The Vulnerability (CVE-2022-41055)

The Windows HID information disclosure vulnerability stems from the improper handling of object memory structures within the HID library. When a HID device is connected to the system, the library allocates memory to store device information. However, when the device is disconnected, the library does not adequately clear the allocated memory or validate that the memory is no longer in use. This can result in leftover sensitive information being exposed.

This vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions, including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019.

Exploiting the vulnerability

An attacker seeking to exploit CVE-2022-41055 would require physical access to the target system or remote access through a malicious HID device. The attacker could then send specially crafted HID packets to the system, causing the disclosure of the leftover information in memory.

As an example, the following code snippet demonstrates how an attacker might craft a malicious HID packet to extract sensitive information:

#include <windows.h>
#include <hidsdi.h>
#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
  HID_ATTRIBUTES hidAttributes;
  PHIDP_PREPARSED_DATA preparsedData;
  HIDP_CAPS capabilities;
  char rawDataBuffer[1024];

  // Set up the HID device connection
  // ...

  // Get the device attributes
  HidD_GetAttributes(hidDevice, &hidAttributes);

  // Get the preparsed data
  HidD_GetPreparsedData(hidDevice, &preparsedData);

  // Get device capabilities
  HidP_GetCaps(preparsedData, &capabilities);

  // Read the raw HID data containing leftover memory
  HidD_GetInputReport(hidDevice, rawDataBuffer, capabilities.InputReportByteLength);

  // Process rawDataBuffer and extract sensitive information
  // ...

  // Clean up
  HidD_FreePreparsedData(preparsedData);
  // ...

  return ;
}

Mitigations

The best way to mitigate the impact of CVE-2022-41055 is to apply the latest security updates provided by Microsoft. The patches address the vulnerability by ensuring that object memory structures are properly cleared when a HID device is disconnected. Additionally, it is essential to practice good security hygiene, such as:

References and further reading

1. CVE-2022-41055 - NVD
2. Microsoft Security Advisory for CVE-2022-41055
3. HID Overview - Microsoft Docs

Conclusion

CVE-2022-41055 is a critical vulnerability that affects many Windows systems, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access or sensitive information. By understanding the exploit and applying the recommended mitigation measures, you can better protect your systems and keep your information safe. Always be on the lookout for updates from Microsoft or other software vendors to ensure your system remains up-to-date with the latest security patches.

Timeline

Published on: 11/09/2022 22:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/10/2022 00:33:00 UTC