Microsoft Windows up to RT 8.1 Backup Engine privileges management

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Microsoft Windows up to RT 8.1. Impacted is an unknown function of the component Backup Engine. Such manipulation leads to privileges management. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2020-1536. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows up to RT 8.1 (Operating System). It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component Backup Engine. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Backup Engine 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 Backup Engine handles memory.

The weakness was published 08/11/2020 as confirmed security update guide (Website). The advisory is shared for download at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. The public release has been coordinated with the vendor. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2020-1536. The attack may be launched remotely. A simple authentication is required for exploitation. 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 Backup Engine 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.

Similar entries are available at VDB-159564, VDB-159563, VDB-159562 and VDB-159561. 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

License

• commercial

Website

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

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VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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