Microsoft Windows up to Server 2004 InstallService privileges management

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2004. This impacts an unknown function of the component InstallService. This manipulation causes privileges management. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2020-1532. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. To fix this issue, it is recommended to deploy a patch.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2004 (Operating System). Affected by this vulnerability is some unknown functionality of the component InstallService. 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:

<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows InstallService improperly handles memory.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows InstallService handles memory.</p>

The weakness was shared 09/08/2020 as confirmed security update guide (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. The vendor cooperated in the coordination of the public release. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2020-1532. The attack can be launched remotely. A single authentication is required for exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/24/2026). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1068 according to MITRE ATT&CK. The advisory points out:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows InstallService 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-160943, VDB-160942, VDB-160940 and VDB-160936 are related to this item. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Microsoft

Name

• Windows

Version

• 10 1903
• 10 1909
• 10 2004
• Server 1903
• Server 1909
• Server 2004

License

• commercial

Website

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

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