CVE-2020-0765 in Remote Desktop Connection Manager
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) application when it improperly parses XML input containing a reference to an external entity, aka 'Remote Desktop Connection Manager Information Disclosure Vulnerability'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2025
The Remote Desktop Connection Manager application suffers from an information disclosure vulnerability that stems from improper XML input parsing behavior. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes XML files that contain references to external entities, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors to extract sensitive information from systems. The flaw exists within the XML parsing mechanism of RDCMan, which fails to properly validate or sanitize external entity references during document processing.
This vulnerability falls under the category of XML External Entity processing flaws, which are commonly classified as CWE-611 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. The vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious XML files that, when loaded by RDCMan, can trigger the application to resolve external entities and potentially disclose internal system information. The attack exploits the application's lack of proper XML parsing controls and input validation measures. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique that can be categorized under T1552.001 - Unsecured Credentials, as the vulnerability could potentially expose sensitive connection information or system details.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gather reconnaissance data about network configurations, system resources, and potentially access credentials stored within the RDCMan configuration files. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they may gain access to connection details, server names, and other sensitive information that could facilitate further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because RDCMan is commonly used in enterprise environments where it manages multiple remote desktop connections, making it a valuable target for threat actors seeking to expand their access within an organization.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing strict XML parsing controls within the RDCMan application, including disabling external entity resolution and parameter entity expansion during XML processing. Organizations should also enforce strict access controls on RDCMan configuration files and implement network segmentation to limit potential attack surface. The vulnerability can be addressed through software updates from Microsoft that properly handle XML input validation, and administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications that process XML input, as this represents a common class of security flaws across various software platforms.