Microsoft Windows up to Server 2019 Codecs Library memory corruption

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2019 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component Codecs Library. This manipulation causes memory corruption. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2020-17022. The attack requires local access. There is no available exploit. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2019 (Operating System) and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown part of the component Codecs Library. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is 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. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft Windows Codecs Library handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could execute arbitrary code.</p> <p>Exploitation of the vulnerability requires that a program process a specially crafted image file.</p> <p>The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Windows Codecs Library handles objects in memory.</p>

The weakness was presented 10/15/2020 as confirmed security guidance (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2020-17022. The exploitation appears to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. 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 02/25/2026). The advisory points out:

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft Windows Codecs Library handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could execute arbitrary code. Exploitation of the vulnerability requires that a program process a specially crafted image file. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Windows Codecs Library 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.

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality 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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