CVE-2020-1397 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in Windows when the Windows Imaging Component fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Windows Imaging Component Information Disclosure Vulnerability'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1397 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Windows Imaging Component subsystem that affects multiple Windows operating systems including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure, and aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1005 technique for data from local system. The Windows Imaging Component serves as a core system module responsible for handling various image formats and processing image data, making it a critical component for both system functionality and security posture.
The technical flaw manifests when the Windows Imaging Component fails to properly validate and handle memory objects during image processing operations. This improper handling occurs during the parsing of maliciously crafted image files that exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities, leading to information disclosure through memory contents that should remain protected. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and memory management practices within the imaging component's object handling routines, allowing attackers to potentially read sensitive data from memory locations that contain system information, credentials, or other confidential data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential pathways to escalate privileges and access additional system resources. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious image files that, when processed by the Windows Imaging Component, trigger the memory handling flaw and expose sensitive information. This information disclosure can lead to credential theft, system enumeration, and potentially provide attackers with additional attack vectors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level within the Windows Imaging Component, making it difficult to detect and mitigate through standard user-level security measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-1397 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security updates and patches that address the memory handling flaws within the Windows Imaging Component. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious image files, while also monitoring for unusual image processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should consider disabling unnecessary image processing capabilities where possible, and implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted image files. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-200 and its potential for privilege escalation aligns with ATT&CK techniques for credential access and defense evasion, making comprehensive monitoring and response procedures essential for effective mitigation.