CVE-2020-1273 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-0986, CVE-2020-1237, CVE-2020-1246, CVE-2020-1262, CVE-2020-1264, CVE-2020-1266, CVE-2020-1269, CVE-2020-1274, CVE-2020-1275, CVE-2020-1276, CVE-2020-1307, CVE-2020-1316.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Windows kernel architecture that stems from improper handling of memory objects during system operation. The issue manifests when kernel-mode components fail to validate or manage allocated memory structures correctly, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system administrator level. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they operate at the core of operating system functionality where security boundaries are most critical. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, making it a widespread concern across enterprise environments.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in memory management routines within the Windows kernel that do not adequately enforce proper object validation and boundary checking. When kernel objects are created, manipulated, or destroyed, the system fails to perform sufficient validation checks that would normally prevent unauthorized access or manipulation of kernel memory spaces. This flaw allows attackers to craft specific inputs or conditions that cause the kernel to behave unpredictably, potentially leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-119 as "Improper Access to Memory Location" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1059 which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a foundation for broader system compromise. Once an attacker achieves system-level privileges through this vulnerability, they can access all system resources, modify critical system files, install persistent backdoors, and potentially move laterally across networked systems. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires local access or a specific attack vector that allows code execution in a user context, but the resulting privilege escalation provides complete system control. Organizations with unpatched systems remain vulnerable to sophisticated attacks that may combine this vulnerability with other exploits to create persistent access or perform data exfiltration operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the primary fix involves correcting the kernel memory handling routines to properly validate object states and memory boundaries. System administrators should prioritize patching across all affected Windows versions and implement additional security controls such as enabling kernel-mode driver validation, restricting user privileges, and monitoring for suspicious kernel activity. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help reduce the attack surface, while regular security assessments should focus on identifying systems that may not have received the necessary updates. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive vulnerability management processes to prevent exploitation of similar kernel-level flaws. Organizations should also consider implementing advanced threat detection mechanisms that can identify anomalous kernel behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.