Microsoft Windows up to Server 2019 Kernel privileges management

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows. It has been declared as critical. The affected element is an unknown function of the component Kernel. Executing a manipulation can lead to privileges management. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2020-0986. The attack can be executed remotely. Additionally, an exploit exists. It is advisable to implement a patch to correct this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Microsoft Windows (Operating System) and classified as very critical. This vulnerability affects some unknown processing of the component Kernel. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1237, CVE-2020-1246, CVE-2020-1262, CVE-2020-1264, CVE-2020-1266, CVE-2020-1269, CVE-2020-1273, CVE-2020-1274, CVE-2020-1275, CVE-2020-1276, CVE-2020-1307, CVE-2020-1316.

The weakness was released 06/09/2020 as confirmed security update guide (Website). The advisory is shared for download at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. The public release was coordinated with the vendor. This vulnerability was named CVE-2020-0986. The attack can be initiated remotely. Required for exploitation is a single authentication. Technical details are unknown but an exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 02/07/2025). The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1068. The advisory points out:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in kernel mode. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

It is declared as attacked. This issue was added on 11/03/2021 to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog with a due date of 05/03/2022:

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-156319, VDB-156318, VDB-156317 and VDB-156315. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Microsoft

Name

• Windows

Version

• 8.1
• 10
• 10 1607
• 10 1709
• 10 1803
• 10 1809
• 10 1903
• 10 1909
• 10 2004
• RT 8.1
• Server 1803
• Server 1903
• Server 1909
• Server 2004
• Server 2012
• Server 2012 R2
• Server 2016
• Server 2019

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.microsoft.com/
• Product: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows

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Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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