CVE-2020-17082 in Raw Image Extension
Summary
by MITRE • 11/11/2020
Raw Image Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-17078, CVE-2020-17079, CVE-2020-17086.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2020
The Raw Image Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-17082 represents a critical security flaw affecting Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the Windows Raw Image Extension component which processes various image formats including raw camera images and other specialized formats. The flaw exists within the image parsing and rendering mechanisms that handle raw image data, creating an exploitable condition that could allow remote code execution when maliciously crafted image files are processed by the affected system.
This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the Windows Raw Image Extension module. The technical flaw manifests when the system attempts to parse and render raw image files without adequate bounds checking or memory protection mechanisms. The issue is classified as a buffer overflow vulnerability that occurs during the processing of malformed image data structures. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate image processing operations that occur during normal system usage or when users open image files from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-17082 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to affected systems, escalate privileges, and establish persistent backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, making it a widespread concern for enterprise environments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic and T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as attackers can execute malicious code and potentially elevate their privileges to system level. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and file sharing protocols, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with external content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-17082 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vendor has released patches specifically addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, particularly those that process untrusted image content. Additionally, security measures including application whitelisting, email filtering, and endpoint detection and response solutions should be deployed to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, as highlighted in the OWASP Top Ten 2017 category A03: Injection, which emphasizes the need for robust defenses against malformed input data. System administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious file access patterns and potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other system components.