Microsoft Windows up to Server 2019 Win32k memory corruption

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2019. Impacted is an unknown function of the component Win32k. Such manipulation leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2020-16907. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is advisable to implement a patch to correct this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2019 (Operating System). Affected by this issue is an unknown function of the component Win32k. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Windows kernel-mode driver 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.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerability and take control of an affected system.</p> <p>The update addresses this vulnerability by correcting how the Windows kernel-mode driver handles objects in memory.</p>

The weakness was released 10/13/2020 as confirmed security guidance (Website). The advisory is shared for download at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2020-16907. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. 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 advisory points out:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Windows kernel-mode driver 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. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerability and take control of an affected system. The update addresses this vulnerability by correcting how the Windows kernel-mode driver handles objects in memory.

It is declared as proof-of-concept.

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

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Microsoft

Name

• Windows

Version

• 10 1709
• 10 1803
• 10 1809
• 10 1903
• 10 1909
• 10 2004
• Server 1903
• Server 1909
• Server 2004
• 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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