CVE-2020-12446 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-12446 affecting G.SKILL Trident Z Lighting Control, allowing privilege escalation to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. Find mitigation steps and preventive measures here.
G.SKILL Trident Z Lighting Control through 1.00.08 allows privilege escalation to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM due to exposure of critical system functions to non-privileged users.
Understanding CVE-2020-12446
The vulnerability in the ene.sys driver of G.SKILL Trident Z Lighting Control exposes critical system functions to unauthorized users, leading to potential privilege escalation.
What is CVE-2020-12446?
The ene.sys driver in G.SKILL Trident Z Lighting Control through version 1.00.08 exposes mapping and un-mapping of physical memory, reading and writing to Model Specific Register (MSR) registers, and input from and output to I/O ports to local non-privileged users, allowing them to escalate privileges to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.
The Impact of CVE-2020-12446
This vulnerability can be exploited by local non-privileged users to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control over the affected system.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-12446
The technical aspects of the CVE-2020-12446 vulnerability are as follows:
Vulnerability Description
The ene.sys driver in G.SKILL Trident Z Lighting Control through version 1.00.08 exposes critical system functions to non-privileged users, enabling privilege escalation to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: G.SKILL Trident Z Lighting Control
- Vendor: G.SKILL
- Versions affected: up to and including 1.00.08
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to access and manipulate physical memory, MSR registers, and I/O ports, potentially leading to privilege escalation to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2020-12446, follow these mitigation steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Disable or restrict access to the vulnerable ene.sys driver
- Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities
- Implement the principle of least privilege for user accounts
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch the affected software
- Conduct security training for users on best practices to prevent privilege escalation
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches or updates provided by G.SKILL for the Trident Z Lighting Control software to remediate the vulnerability