CVE-2019-0880 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
A local elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in how splwow64.exe handles certain calls, aka 'Microsoft splwow64 Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0880 represents a critical local elevation of privilege flaw within the Windows operating system's print subsystem. This vulnerability specifically affects the splwow64.exe process which serves as a 32-bit helper process for the Windows print spooler service. The issue arises from improper handling of certain function calls within this component, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The vulnerability impacts multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where these systems are prevalent.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and privilege checking within the splwow64.exe process. When the print spooler service processes certain print job requests or driver installations, it invokes splwow64.exe to handle 32-bit print operations on 64-bit systems. The flaw occurs during the processing of these cross-architecture calls where the system fails to properly validate the privileges of the calling process. This allows a local attacker with standard user credentials to manipulate the execution flow and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-276 as improper privilege management and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through system binary manipulation. The flaw essentially creates a race condition or improper access control mechanism that bypasses normal Windows security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-0880 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within affected systems. Once successfully exploited, attackers can gain complete system control, enabling them to install malicious software, modify system files, access sensitive data, or establish backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no network connectivity for exploitation and can be triggered through local print job processing or driver installation activities. This makes it a prime target for both internal threat actors and external attackers who have gained initial access to a system through other means. The attack surface is broad as any user who can submit print jobs or install drivers can potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it a significant concern for organizations with shared or public computing environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-0880 should focus on immediate patch deployment from Microsoft, which addresses the underlying privilege handling flaw in the splwow64.exe process. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including disabling unnecessary print services, restricting user privileges for print-related activities, and monitoring for suspicious print job submissions or driver installations. Network segmentation and privileged access management controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution of print-related binaries. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the risks associated with complex system components like print spoolers that must operate with elevated privileges. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions of Windows and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and criticality of affected systems.