Microsoft Windows up to Server 2019 Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock privileges management

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Microsoft Windows. The affected element is an unknown function of the component Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock. The manipulation results in privileges management. This vulnerability was named CVE-2020-1587. The attack may be performed from remote. There is no available exploit. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Microsoft Windows (Operating System). Affected is an unknown code block of the component Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock improperly handles memory. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to gain execution on the victim system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application to elevate privileges. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock handles memory.

The weakness was presented 08/11/2020 as confirmed security update guide (Website). The advisory is shared for download at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. The public release was coordinated in cooperation with the vendor. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2020-1587. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The requirement for exploitation is a authentication. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 02/24/2026). The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1068. The advisory points out:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock improperly handles memory.

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

See VDB-159532, VDB-159531, VDB-159530 and VDB-159529 for similar entries. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Microsoft

Name

• Windows

Version

• 7 SP1
• 8.1
• 10
• 10 1607
• 10 1709
• 10 1803
• 10 1809
• 10 1903
• 10 1909
• 10 2004
• RT 8.1
• Server 1903
• Server 1909
• Server 2004
• Server 2008 R2 SP1
• Server 2008 SP2
• 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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