CVE-2014-6324
Microsoft Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC) Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2014-6324 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Microsoft Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC). The Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC) in Microsoft allows remote authenticated domain users to obtain domain administrator privileges. An attacker can exploit this flaw with low privileges over the network. CISA has added this vulnerability to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. The EPSS score of 88.40% (99.5th percentile) indicates a significantly elevated exploitation probability.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft | windows 7 | - |
| microsoft | windows 8 | - |
| microsoft | windows 8.1 | - |
| microsoft | windows server 2003 | - |
| microsoft | windows server 2008 | -; r2 |
| microsoft | windows server 2012 | -; r2 |
References
- http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2014/11/18/additional-information-about-cve-2014-6324.aspx(Not Applicable, Vendor Advisory)
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142350249315918&w=2(Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- http://secunia.com/advisories/62556(Broken Link)
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/70958(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1031237(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA14-323A(Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource)
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2014/ms14-068(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2014-6324(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
Unspecified Weakness
No specific CWE classification has been assigned to this vulnerability. The underlying weakness enables remote exploitation of Microsoft Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC), potentially leading to unauthorized access or code execution.
Learn more: CWE Database
Impact Analysis
CVE-2014-6324 carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 (HIGH), reflecting the serious risk it poses to affected environments. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of data confidentiality, full system integrity compromise, and complete denial of service. The attack vector is network-based with low complexity, meaning exploitation is straightforward and can be reliably repeated. Organizations running Microsoft Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC) face tangible risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and operational disruption if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2014-6324 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of 2022-04-15, confirming that real-world exploitation has been observed. The EPSS score of 88.40% (99.5th percentile) places this vulnerability among those most likely to be exploited.
Remediation
- Apply updates per vendor instructions. This is the CISA-mandated remediation action and should be prioritized immediately.
- If patches cannot be applied immediately, restrict network access to the affected Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC) management interfaces to only trusted administrative networks using firewall rules or access control lists.
- Monitor vendor security advisories for additional updates and ensure a patch management process is in place for timely deployment.
- Conduct a thorough review of affected systems for signs of prior compromise, including unexpected user accounts, modified configurations, and unusual network activity.
- Implement defense-in-depth measures including network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and continuous security monitoring for the affected infrastructure.
Technical Details
CVE-2014-6324 is exploitable remotely over the network with low-level user credentials. The Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC) in Microsoft allows remote authenticated domain users to obtain domain administrator privileges. The attack complexity is rated low, meaning no specialized conditions or preparation are needed beyond network access to the target. The scope is unchanged, meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the combination of these factors and the potential for significant damage to affected systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2014-6324 being actively exploited?
Yes. CISA has confirmed active exploitation by adding CVE-2014-6324 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS score of 88.40% (99.5th percentile) further indicates high exploitation likelihood.
What products are affected by CVE-2014-6324?
CVE-2014-6324 affects Microsoft Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC). Specifically, affected products include microsoft windows 7, microsoft windows 8, microsoft windows 8.1, microsoft windows server 2003, microsoft windows server 2008, and others.
How do I fix CVE-2014-6324?
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Ensure your systems are updated to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not feasible, restrict network access to the affected system's management interfaces.
How severe is CVE-2014-6324?
CVE-2014-6324 has a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 (HIGH). This is a high-severity vulnerability that poses significant risk and requires prompt remediation. The vulnerability enables authenticated remote attackers to potentially compromise affected Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC) systems.
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