CVE-2019-0788 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Windows Remote Desktop Client when a user connects to a malicious server, aka 'Remote Desktop Client Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0787, CVE-2019-1290, CVE-2019-1291.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0788 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Windows Remote Desktop Client component that enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability specifically manifests when a legitimate user establishes a connection to a malicious Remote Desktop Protocol server, creating a scenario where the client-side software becomes a vector for malicious payload delivery. The flaw resides in how the Windows Remote Desktop Client processes certain data structures during the connection establishment phase, particularly when handling specific RDP protocol messages from untrusted sources.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2019-0788 occurs through a memory corruption vulnerability that stems from improper input validation within the RDP client implementation. Attackers can craft malicious RDP server responses that trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions when processed by the vulnerable client software. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of remote services through memory corruption attacks. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows Server 2016, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread deployment of these operating systems in enterprise environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable full system compromise and persistence within targeted networks. Once exploited, attackers can gain elevated privileges and establish backdoor access points that persist across system reboots. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, allowing for large-scale attacks against organizations with remote workers or those utilizing RDP for legitimate business purposes. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors who can leverage it for lateral movement within networks, data exfiltration, or establishment of command and control infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft security patches released in the May 2019 Patch Tuesday updates, which specifically address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict RDP access to trusted networks only, while multi-factor authentication should be enforced for all RDP connections. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual RDP connection patterns or attempts to connect to known malicious IP addresses. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated remote exploitation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls that prevent direct RDP connections from external networks and utilize VPN solutions for secure remote access to internal systems.