CVE-2020-0748 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the Cryptography Next Generation (CNG) service when it fails to properly handle objects in memory.To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to log on to an affected system and run a specially crafted application.The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the service handles objects in memory., aka 'Windows Key Isolation Service Information Disclosure Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-0675, CVE-2020-0676, CVE-2020-0677, CVE-2020-0755, CVE-2020-0756.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2020-0748 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Windows Cryptography Next Generation (CNG) service, specifically affecting the Windows Key Isolation Service component. This vulnerability resides in the memory handling mechanisms of the CNG service, which is responsible for cryptographic operations and key management within the Windows operating system. The flaw manifests when the service fails to properly manage objects stored in memory, creating potential pathways for unauthorized information exposure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only local system access to exploit, meaning an attacker with valid user credentials could leverage this weakness to extract sensitive cryptographic information from memory.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and specifically relates to improper handling of memory objects within cryptographic services. The CNG service operates at a low level within the Windows security architecture, managing cryptographic keys and performing encryption operations while maintaining isolation between different security contexts. When memory objects are not properly handled, sensitive data including cryptographic keys, certificates, or other security-related information may remain accessible to malicious processes running with the same user privileges. This represents a breakdown in the memory isolation principles that should protect cryptographic material from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could enable attackers to extract cryptographic keys that are essential for maintaining system security. An attacker with local access could potentially use this vulnerability to extract keys used for encryption, authentication, or digital signatures, which could then be used to impersonate legitimate users or decrypt sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the Windows Key Isolation Service, which is designed to protect cryptographic keys by isolating them from regular user processes, but the memory handling flaw undermines this protection mechanism. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of cryptographic operations within Windows systems, potentially compromising the security posture of affected organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0748 should focus on applying the security update provided by Microsoft, which addresses the memory handling issue in the CNG service. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing additional security controls such as monitoring for unauthorized local access attempts and reviewing system logs for suspicious activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in cryptographic services and highlights the need for robust isolation mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls to limit the potential impact of local compromise, while monitoring for signs of credential theft or key extraction attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure memory handling in cryptographic implementations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for "Unsecured Credentials" and T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" when attackers attempt to exploit such weaknesses for information extraction.