CVE-2020-1184 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows State Repository Service improperly handles objects in memory, aka 'Windows State Repository Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1124, CVE-2020-1131, CVE-2020-1134, CVE-2020-1144, CVE-2020-1185, CVE-2020-1186, CVE-2020-1187, CVE-2020-1188, CVE-2020-1189, CVE-2020-1190, CVE-2020-1191.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2020
The Windows State Repository Service represents a critical component within Microsoft Windows operating systems responsible for managing and persisting application state information across system sessions and reboots. This service operates with elevated privileges to ensure proper state management and synchronization between various Windows components. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within this service, specifically when processing objects in memory without adequate validation or sanitization. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate memory structures in ways that could lead to privilege escalation, potentially enabling local attackers to execute code with system-level privileges.
This vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues and aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes. The technical implementation involves the service's failure to properly validate object boundaries during memory operations, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious inputs that can overwrite critical memory locations. The Windows State Repository Service typically handles serialized state data from applications and system components, making it a prime target for exploitation. When objects are improperly handled, attackers can leverage this weakness to manipulate the service's execution flow or overwrite critical data structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the Windows environment. Successful exploitation enables attackers to gain SYSTEM-level privileges, which allows complete control over the affected system. This includes the ability to install malware, modify system files, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a service that runs with elevated privileges and has access to system resources that are normally restricted. Attackers could leverage this to bypass standard security controls and establish long-term access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, which address the underlying memory handling issues in the Windows State Repository Service. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement and reduce the attack surface. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and T1547, which covers 'Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder'. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unusual memory access patterns and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution. System administrators should also review and harden service configurations to minimize potential attack vectors and ensure proper privilege separation between different system components.