CVE-2020-1375 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles COM object creation, aka 'Windows COM Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1375 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Windows operating system that specifically exploits improper handling of Component Object Model COM object creation processes. This vulnerability resides in the core Windows COM subsystem which is fundamental to how applications interact with system resources and services. The flaw allows an attacker to escalate their privileges from a standard user account to SYSTEM level access, effectively granting complete control over the affected system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and authorization checks during the creation and registration of COM objects, which are essential components for inter-process communication and system integration in Windows environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious actor crafts a specially designed COM object that bypasses normal security boundaries during the object creation phase. This misconfiguration allows unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges, leveraging the trust relationships that exist within the Windows COM architecture. The flaw specifically impacts Windows 10 versions and Windows Server 2019, where the COM server implementation fails to properly validate the security context of incoming object creation requests. This weakness is categorized under CWE-264 as "Permissions, Privileges and Access Controls" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" in adversarial cybersecurity operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to bypass standard Windows security controls including User Account Control mechanisms and access control lists. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains SYSTEM-level privileges that allow complete system compromise, data exfiltration, persistence establishment, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because COM objects are widely used throughout Windows applications and system services, making the attack surface extensive and difficult to monitor completely. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious office documents, web-based attacks, and social engineering campaigns that trick users into executing compromised COM objects.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-1375 should focus on immediate patch deployment from Microsoft as the primary defense mechanism, while implementing additional security controls such as restricting COM object registration through Group Policy settings and monitoring for suspicious COM activity. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized COM components, and employ behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous COM object creation patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface of critical system components. Network segmentation and privilege separation practices should be reinforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify the effectiveness of implemented controls against similar COM-based vulnerabilities.