CVE-2020-17033 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 11/11/2020
Windows Remote Access Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-17025, CVE-2020-17026, CVE-2020-17027, CVE-2020-17028, CVE-2020-17031, CVE-2020-17032, CVE-2020-17034, CVE-2020-17043, CVE-2020-17044, CVE-2020-17055.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Windows Remote Access service that allows attackers to escalate their privileges from a standard user account to SYSTEM level access. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows Remote Access service implementation and stems from improper handling of authentication and authorization mechanisms within the remote access subsystem. The flaw exists in the way the system processes remote access requests and validates user credentials, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal security controls and gain unauthorized administrative access to affected systems.
The technical root cause of CVE-2020-17033 lies in the insufficient validation of remote access tokens and credentials within the Windows Remote Access service. When legitimate remote access requests are processed, the system fails to properly verify the authenticity of the requesting user's privileges, allowing attackers to manipulate authentication flows and obtain elevated permissions. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it operates at the core of Windows remote access functionality, where legitimate administrative users may need to establish connections from remote locations. The vulnerability manifests when the system's remote access service processes incoming connection requests without adequate checks on the privilege level of the connecting user, potentially allowing a low-privilege attacker to impersonate a higher-privileged user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable comprehensive system compromise and lateral movement within network environments. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain complete control over affected systems, including the ability to install malicious software, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, making it a widespread concern for enterprise environments that rely on remote access capabilities. Organizations with remote work policies or systems that require remote administration are particularly at risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various remote access protocols including RDP and other Windows remote management services.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through remote services. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of a privilege escalation attack vector that can be exploited through remote access protocols, making it particularly concerning for organizations with exposed remote access services. Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches, implementation of network segmentation to limit remote access capabilities, and enhanced monitoring of remote access service activities. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary remote access services, implementing multi-factor authentication for remote access, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify potential exploitation vectors. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of securing remote access services and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components.