CVE-2019-0551 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Windows Hyper-V on a host server fails to properly validate input from an authenticated user on a guest operating system, aka "Windows Hyper-V Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Windows Server 2016, Windows 10, Windows Server 2019, Windows 10 Servers. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0550.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0551 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft Windows Hyper-V virtualization infrastructure. This weakness specifically manifests when a host server running Hyper-V fails to adequately validate input data originating from authenticated users within guest operating systems. The flaw exists at the hypervisor level where proper input sanitization mechanisms are absent or insufficient, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the host system. The vulnerability impacts multiple Windows Server and client operating system versions including Windows Server 2016, Windows 10, Windows Server 2019, and Windows 10 Servers, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these platforms in enterprise environments.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of input parameters within the Hyper-V virtualization layer that processes communications between guest and host systems. The flaw allows authenticated guest users to craft malicious input that bypasses normal security boundaries, potentially enabling privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution on the underlying host infrastructure. This represents a classic hypervisor breakout scenario where guest operating system compromise translates directly into host system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the system level where virtual machine management services interact with host resources, creating a direct attack surface that can be exploited without requiring additional authentication or exploitation primitives. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, which specifically addresses the failure to validate input data in a manner that prevents malicious data from being processed.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-0551 extends far beyond simple remote code execution capabilities, as it fundamentally undermines the security isolation that virtualization environments are designed to provide. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the host system, potentially enabling them to access all virtual machines hosted on that system, extract sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The attack vector requires only authentication to a guest operating system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where guest systems may be compromised through other attack vectors or where legitimate users have elevated privileges. This vulnerability directly violates the fundamental security principle of virtualization isolation and can lead to catastrophic consequences including data breaches, system compromise, and denial of service across entire virtualized infrastructures. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under T1068, specifically targeting hypervisor compromise to gain elevated system privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-0551 should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, which address the underlying input validation deficiencies in Hyper-V components. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit guest-to-host communication where possible, and consider disabling unnecessary Hyper-V features or services that could exacerbate the vulnerability. Regular monitoring of system logs for suspicious activity and anomalous virtual machine behavior should be implemented as part of defensive measures. Additionally, organizations should review their virtualization security configurations and ensure proper network isolation between guest systems and host infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date virtualization security patches and demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive security testing of hypervisor components. Security teams should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous code execution patterns or unusual network communications between virtual machines and host systems.