CVE-2020-1291 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Network Connections Service handles objects in memory, aka 'Windows Network Connections Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1291 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Windows Network Connections Service component of Microsoft operating systems. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects in memory by the network connections service, which operates with elevated privileges to manage network connectivity configurations and system resources. The service is designed to facilitate network connection management and is integral to the Windows networking stack, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges within the system.
The technical flaw manifests when the Windows Network Connections Service processes certain memory objects without adequate validation or sanitization of input parameters. This improper memory handling creates a condition where maliciously crafted inputs can cause the service to execute code with elevated privileges, potentially allowing an attacker to gain SYSTEM-level access to the compromised system. The vulnerability specifically affects the service's ability to properly validate and handle memory references during network connection operations, creating a path for privilege escalation attacks that can be exploited remotely or locally depending on the attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to bypass standard security controls and gain unauthorized access to system resources with elevated privileges. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can perform actions such as installing malicious software, modifying system configurations, accessing sensitive data, and potentially establishing persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, making it a widespread concern across enterprise environments and consumer systems. The attack surface is broad as the network connections service is actively running and accessible to various user contexts, increasing the likelihood of exploitation.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates that address this vulnerability through proper memory handling and input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes unsafe use of a stack-based buffer, and potentially CWE-122, which covers excessive stack allocation, as the memory handling issues create conditions for privilege escalation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068, which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1059, which involves Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious commands with elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for anomalous network connection behaviors, and ensuring that the network connections service is running with minimal necessary privileges to reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.