CVE-2020-16921 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Windows Text Services Framework Information Disclosure Vulnerability was published on October 13, 2020, by Microsoft. The vulnerability affects various versions of Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows Server.

Understanding CVE-2020-16921

This CVE identifies an information disclosure vulnerability in the Text Services Framework, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data.

What is CVE-2020-16921?

An information disclosure flaw in Text Services Framework could enable an attacker to access unintended data without executing code or escalating user rights directly.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16921

The vulnerability could be exploited by a logged-in attacker opening a malicious file to read sensitive information, potentially leading to further system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16921

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from Text Services Framework's improper handling of objects in memory, allowing unauthorized data access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows 10 Version 1803, 1809, 1909, 2004
Windows Server 2019, 1903, 2004

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit, an attacker must log in and open a crafted file to access unauthorized data.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect systems from CVE-2020-16921 with these measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security update provided by Microsoft promptly.
Educate users on safe file handling practices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update systems with the latest security patches.
Implement robust access controls and monitoring mechanisms.

Patching and Updates

Microsoft has released an update addressing the vulnerability by enhancing how Text Services Framework manages memory objects.