CVE-2020-16960 : What You Need to Know
Discover the impact of CVE-2020-16960, an Elevation of Privilege vulnerability in the Windows Backup Engine affecting multiple Microsoft Windows versions. Learn about the severity, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
Windows Backup Engine Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published on December 9, 2020, by Microsoft. The vulnerability affects various Microsoft Windows versions.
Understanding CVE-2020-16960
This CVE identifies an Elevation of Privilege vulnerability in the Windows Backup Engine.
What is CVE-2020-16960?
The CVE-2020-16960 vulnerability is an Elevation of Privilege issue within the Windows Backup Engine, impacting multiple versions of Microsoft Windows.
The Impact of CVE-2020-16960
The vulnerability has a base severity rating of HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.8. It can allow attackers to elevate privileges on affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-16960
This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability lies in the Windows Backup Engine, enabling attackers to escalate privileges on compromised systems.
Affected Systems and Versions
The following Microsoft products and versions are affected by CVE-2020-16960:
- Windows 10 Version 20H2
- Windows Server version 20H2
- Windows 10 Versions 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909, 2004
- Windows Server 2019, 2016
- Windows 7, 7 Service Pack 1
- Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges on affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2020-16960, follow these mitigation steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply security updates provided by Microsoft promptly.
- Monitor for any suspicious activities on the network.
- Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software and systems.
- Conduct security training for employees to enhance awareness of potential threats.
- Utilize intrusion detection systems to monitor network traffic.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest security patches from Microsoft to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.