CVE-2020-1190 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-2020-1184, CVE-2020-1185, CVE-2020-1186, CVE-2020-1187, CVE-2020-1188, CVE-2020-1189, 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 the Windows operating system architecture responsible for managing and maintaining system state information across various services and applications. This service operates with elevated privileges to ensure proper system functionality and state synchronization between different Windows components. The vulnerability described in CVE-2020-1190 stems from improper memory handling mechanisms within this service, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The flaw manifests when the service processes objects in memory without adequate validation or sanitization, allowing for potential memory corruption or manipulation that could be exploited by adversaries.
This elevation of privilege vulnerability specifically targets the memory management routines of the Windows State Repository Service, which operates under the Windows kernel mode execution context. The improper handling of memory objects typically involves insufficient bounds checking, lack of input validation, or inadequate memory allocation procedures that could allow attackers to craft malicious payloads that manipulate the service's memory structures. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which addresses 'Stack-based Buffer Overflow', and CWE-122, which covers 'Heap-based Buffer Overflow', both of which represent common memory corruption patterns that enable privilege escalation attacks. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw through crafted inputs or by exploiting other initial access vectors that allow them to execute code within the context of the State Repository Service.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-1190 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full system control, access sensitive system files, modify critical registry entries, or establish persistent backdoors within the Windows environment. The Windows State Repository Service typically maintains state information for various system components, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to manipulate system behavior or maintain long-term access. This vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019, creating widespread exposure across enterprise environments where these operating systems are deployed. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the service runs with high privileges and interacts with core system components, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors seeking to establish footholds within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-1190 should focus on immediate patch application from Microsoft, which addresses the memory handling issues within the Windows State Repository Service. System administrators should implement the latest security updates and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and privilege separation measures can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous behavior in system services that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and T1547.001, which addresses 'Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder', as attackers may attempt to establish persistence following successful privilege escalation. Organizations should also conduct security assessments to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure that their monitoring systems are capable of detecting the specific memory manipulation patterns associated with this vulnerability.