CVE-2018-0972

MEDIUM

Windows Kernel - Information Disclosure via ASLR Bypass

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2018-0972. PoCs published by Google Security Research.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit demonstrates an information leak vulnerability in Windows (CVE-2018-0972) where the `NtQueryInformationTransactionManager` system call with `TransactionManagerRecoveryInformation` discloses uninitialized kernel pool memory. The PoC reads 8 bytes of uninitialized memory, potentially bypassing kernel ASLR or exposing sensitive data.

Description

An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the Windows kernel that could allow an attacker to retrieve information that could lead to a Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) bypass, aka "Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 10, Windows 10 Servers. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-0887, CVE-2018-0960, CVE-2018-0968, CVE-2018-0969, CVE-2018-0970, CVE-2018-0971, CVE-2018-0973, CVE-2018-0974, CVE-2018-0975.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Google Security Research · c++doswindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44462

This exploit demonstrates an information leak vulnerability in Windows (CVE-2018-0972) where the `NtQueryInformationTransactionManager` system call with `TransactionManagerRecoveryInformation` discloses uninitialized kernel pool memory. The PoC reads 8 bytes of uninitialized memory, potentially bypassing kernel ASLR or exposing sensitive data.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows 7 to 10 (32/64-bit)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Local authenticated access · Special Pools enabled for ntoskrnl.exe (for demonstration)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (4)

Core 4
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103659
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040657
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44462/

Scores

CVSS v3 5.5
EPSS 0.1280
EPSS Percentile 94.2%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Details

Status published
Products (13)
microsoft/windows_10
microsoft/windows_10 1511
microsoft/windows_10 1607
microsoft/windows_10 1703
microsoft/windows_10 1709
microsoft/windows_7
microsoft/windows_8.1
microsoft/windows_rt_8.1
microsoft/windows_server_2008
microsoft/windows_server_2008 r2
... and 3 more
Published Apr 12, 2018
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026