CVE-2020-1082 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows Error Reporting (WER) when WER handles and executes files, aka 'Windows Error Reporting Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1021, CVE-2020-1088.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2020
The Windows Error Reporting Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Windows operating systems that allows attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrator level. This vulnerability specifically affects the Windows Error Reporting component which is responsible for collecting and processing error information when applications crash or encounter issues within the Windows environment. The flaw exists in how WER handles and executes files, creating an opportunity for malicious code execution that bypasses normal security boundaries and privilege controls.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper validation and handling of executable files within the Windows Error Reporting framework. When Windows Error Reporting processes crash dumps or error information, it may inadvertently execute malicious code that has been placed in locations where the system expects legitimate error reporting data. This occurs due to insufficient input sanitization and inadequate file execution controls within the WER module. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate error reporting functionality to gain elevated privileges, making detection more challenging and exploitation more stealthy.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform privilege escalation attacks that can result in complete system compromise. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain administrative privileges on the affected system, allowing them to install malicious software, modify system files, access sensitive data, and establish persistent backdoors. The attack surface is broad as this vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious applications, phishing emails, or compromised websites that trigger error reporting scenarios.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. Immediate remediation involves applying the Microsoft security updates released in the February 2020 Patch Tuesday updates. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting write permissions to error reporting directories, monitoring for suspicious WER activity, and employing application whitelisting solutions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. Network administrators should monitor for unusual error reporting activity and implement security awareness training to prevent users from inadvertently triggering malicious error conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in system components that handle user-supplied data, particularly those with elevated privileges.