CVE-2020-1517 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Windows File Server Resource Management Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Understanding CVE-2020-1517

This vulnerability, assigned CVE-2020-1517, affects various Microsoft Windows versions, allowing attackers to elevate privileges by exploiting a flaw in the Windows File Server Resource Management Service.

What is CVE-2020-1517?

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists due to improper memory handling in the Windows File Server Resource Management Service. Attackers can exploit this by executing specially crafted applications on the victim's system to gain elevated privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1517

This vulnerability has a High severity base score of 7.8 according to the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). It poses a significant risk as an attacker could potentially gain control over affected systems through privilege escalation.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1517

The following technical details shed more light on this vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from how the Windows File Server Resource Management Service handles memory, leading to an elevation of privilege potential.

Affected Systems and Versions

Various Microsoft Windows versions are impacted by this vulnerability:

Windows 10 Version 2004
Windows Server version 2004
Windows 10 Version 1809
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
Windows 10 Version 1909
Windows Server, version 1909 (Server Core installation)
Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit, x64-based, and ARM64-based Systems
Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation)
Windows 10 Version 1607
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
Windows 7
Windows 7 Service Pack 1
Windows 8.1
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, attackers must first gain execution on the victim's system. They can then run a specially crafted application to escalate privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate action and implementing long-term security practices is crucial to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-1517:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security update provided by Microsoft to address the vulnerability promptly.
Monitor for any unusual activities on the network that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update systems and software to patch known vulnerabilities and improve overall security posture.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access and minimize potential attack surfaces.

Patching and Updates

Microsoft has released a security update to address the vulnerability. It is imperative to apply this patch to all affected systems to prevent exploitation.