Microsoft Windows up to Server 2019 Network Connection Broker privileges management

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Microsoft Windows. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Network Connection Broker. This manipulation causes privileges management. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2020-1526. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Microsoft Windows (Operating System) and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is some unknown processing of the component Network Connection Broker. 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. The summary by CVE is:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Network Connection Broker 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 Network Connection Broker handles memory.

The weakness was shared 08/11/2020 as confirmed security update guide (Website). The advisory is shared at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. The vendor cooperated in the coordination of the public release. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2020-1526. The attack can be launched remotely. Required for exploitation is a single authentication. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/24/2026). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1068 for this issue. The advisory points out:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Network Connection Broker 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.

The entries VDB-159532, VDB-159531, VDB-159530 and VDB-159528 are related to this item. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Microsoft

Name

• Windows

Version

• 10
• 10 1607
• 10 1709
• 10 1803
• 10 1809
• 10 1903
• 10 1909
• 10 2004
• Server 1903
• Server 1909
• Server 2004
• Server 2016
• Server 2019

License

• commercial

Website

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

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Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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