CVE-2020-1367 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel improperly handles objects in memory, aka 'Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1389, CVE-2020-1419, CVE-2020-1426.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1367 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows kernel component that enables unauthorized access to sensitive memory objects. This weakness stems from improper handling of kernel objects during memory management operations, creating potential pathways for attackers to extract confidential data from system memory. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows kernel's memory management subsystem where kernel objects are not properly validated or sanitized before being processed, leading to information leakage that could expose system internals and potentially sensitive operational data.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability manifests when the Windows kernel fails to adequately validate memory objects during processing operations, allowing for information disclosure through memory corruption or improper object handling. This type of flaw typically occurs in kernel-mode drivers or system components that manage memory allocation and object lifecycle management. The improper handling creates opportunities for attackers to leverage memory access patterns or object references to extract information that should remain protected within kernel space. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure" and specifically covers scenarios where improper information handling leads to unauthorized data disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks by providing attackers with insights into kernel memory structures and system internals. Attackers could potentially use the leaked information to craft more effective exploitation techniques, bypass security controls, or identify additional vulnerabilities within the system. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, creating widespread exposure across enterprise environments. This information disclosure could facilitate privilege escalation attacks or enable attackers to develop more targeted exploits that leverage the leaked kernel information to compromise system integrity and confidentiality.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft security patches and updates to address the vulnerability in affected systems. Organizations should also enhance their monitoring capabilities to detect unusual memory access patterns or information disclosure attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and potentially T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation techniques. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected Windows versions and ensure timely patch deployment. Additionally, implementing memory protection mechanisms and monitoring for abnormal kernel behavior can help detect potential exploitation attempts and reduce the attack surface for this information disclosure vulnerability.