CVE-2020-1356 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows iSCSI Target Service improperly handles file operations, aka 'Windows iSCSI Target Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2020
The Windows iSCSI Target Service elevation of privilege vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to escalate their privileges within Windows environments. This vulnerability specifically affects the iSCSI target service component that manages storage connections and file operations in Windows Server environments. The issue stems from improper handling of file operations within the service, creating opportunities for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to system resources and elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrator level.
This vulnerability operates through a flaw in the Windows iSCSI Target Service implementation where the service does not properly validate or sanitize file operations performed by unprivileged users. When legitimate file operations are executed through the iSCSI target service, the system fails to adequately verify the security context of these operations, allowing attackers to manipulate file access patterns and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core storage service functionality that many enterprise environments rely upon for data management and network storage operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain persistent access to critical storage resources and potentially compromise entire network storage infrastructures. Organizations running Windows Server environments with iSCSI target services enabled are at risk of unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely if the iSCSI target service is configured to accept connections from external networks, making it a significant threat to enterprise security. Attackers can leverage this weakness to move laterally within networks, access sensitive storage volumes, and potentially exfiltrate critical data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves crafting specific file operations that trigger the improper handling within the iSCSI target service. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in file operation handling, specifically CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation through service exploitation, where attackers leverage service weaknesses to gain elevated system privileges. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability requires the iSCSI target service to be running and accessible, making proper network segmentation and service configuration critical defensive measures.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Windows Server versions, disabling unnecessary iSCSI target service functionality, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to the service. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify all systems running iSCSI target services and ensure proper access controls are in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in system services, particularly those handling storage operations that require elevated permissions. Regular monitoring of service access logs and implementing principle of least privilege for iSCSI target service accounts can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts.