CVE-2020-0874 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) handles objects in memory, allowing an attacker to retrieve information from a targeted system, aka 'Windows GDI Information Disclosure Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-0774, CVE-2020-0879, CVE-2020-0880, CVE-2020-0882.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0874 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows Graphics Device Interface GDI component that fundamentally compromises system security. This vulnerability resides in the manner in which GDI manages and handles graphical objects in memory, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to extract sensitive information from affected systems. The Windows GDI serves as a crucial interface for graphics rendering operations across the operating system, making this flaw particularly dangerous as it affects core graphical functionality that numerous applications and system processes depend upon.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the GDI subsystem where insufficient bounds checking and memory management controls exist when processing graphical objects. Attackers can leverage this weakness through crafted malicious graphics content or applications that interact with GDI functions, potentially leading to the exposure of sensitive memory contents including stack data, heap information, or other system resources. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information. The flaw manifests when the system processes certain graphical operations that trigger memory access patterns which reveal previously allocated memory contents to unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0874 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory information could potentially contain cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other sensitive data that could be exploited for further attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain insights into system memory layout, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or code execution. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, making it a widespread concern across enterprise environments where graphical rendering is prevalent. This vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Command Shell and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how information disclosure can serve as a foundation for more advanced attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0874 primarily involve applying the Microsoft security patches released as part of the April 2020 Patch Tuesday updates, which address the underlying memory handling issues within the GDI component. Organizations should prioritize patch deployment across all affected Windows systems, particularly those with high-value assets or restricted environments where additional security controls are essential. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional layers of defense by limiting the potential attack surface and preventing unauthorized applications from triggering the vulnerable GDI functions. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual graphics processing activities or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also implementing proper access controls to limit who can interact with graphical system components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how seemingly peripheral system components like graphics drivers can contain critical security flaws that affect overall system integrity and confidentiality.