CVE-2020-0726 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.

Understanding CVE-2020-0726

This CVE ID is unique from several other related vulnerabilities.

What is CVE-2020-0726?

The vulnerability exists in Windows due to improper handling of objects in memory by the Win32k component.

The Impact of CVE-2020-0726

Severity: High
CVSS Score: 7.8 (High)
Affected Systems: Various versions of Windows operating systems

Technical Details of CVE-2020-0726

This section covers specific technical details of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The elevation of privilege vulnerability stems from the Win32k component's improper memory object handling.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows Versions Affected:
Windows 7, 8.1, 10, Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019
Specific Versions:
Windows 10 Version 1607 to 1809, Windows Server 2008 to 2019

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker running a specially crafted application.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent exploitation of the CVE.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official security patches from Microsoft
Monitor for any unusual system behavior or unauthorized access

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and operating systems
Implement least privilege access controls and strong authentication measures

Patching and Updates

Ensure all Windows systems are updated with the latest security patches and updates