CVE-2020-1149 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Runtime improperly handles objects in memory, aka 'Windows Runtime Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1077, CVE-2020-1086, CVE-2020-1090, CVE-2020-1125, CVE-2020-1139, CVE-2020-1151, CVE-2020-1155, CVE-2020-1156, CVE-2020-1157, CVE-2020-1158, CVE-2020-1164.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1149 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Windows Runtime environment that allows attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to SYSTEM level access. This issue specifically manifests when the Windows Runtime component fails to properly handle objects in memory, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory management flaws and gain unauthorized administrative privileges. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows operating systems including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments where privilege escalation can lead to complete system compromise. The flaw falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities and is particularly dangerous because it operates within the core Windows Runtime infrastructure that handles inter-process communication and application execution.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper memory object handling within the Windows Runtime subsystem, which is responsible for managing application components and their interactions across different security contexts. When the system processes certain memory objects, it fails to validate or properly sanitize the memory references, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory contents or redirect execution flow. This type of vulnerability is classified as a memory safety issue and aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The Windows Runtime's improper handling of memory objects creates opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing standard security boundaries that normally separate user processes from system-level operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to achieve complete system compromise without requiring physical access or sophisticated attack vectors. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute code with SYSTEM privileges, providing them with unrestricted access to all system resources, files, and processes. This capability enables attackers to install malware, modify system configurations, steal sensitive data, and establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual systems to potentially affect entire network infrastructures, particularly in environments where attackers can leverage the elevated privileges to move laterally across networks or target additional systems. Organizations running affected Windows versions face significant risk of data breaches, system downtime, and regulatory compliance violations when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-1149 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vulnerability has been addressed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS19-127. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including restricting user privileges, monitoring for suspicious process activities, and employing application whitelisting solutions to prevent exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or privilege escalation activities. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected Windows versions and ensure comprehensive patch management processes are in place. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits, making it essential for security operations centers to monitor for indicators of compromise related to memory corruption attacks and privilege escalation attempts.