CVE-2020-16961 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Windows Backup Engine Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published on December 8, 2020, by Microsoft. The vulnerability affects various versions of Windows operating systems.

Understanding CVE-2020-16961

This CVE identifies an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Backup Engine.

What is CVE-2020-16961?

The CVE-2020-16961 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability that could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges on the affected system.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16961

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.8. It poses a significant risk to the security of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16961

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the Windows Backup Engine, allowing unauthorized users to elevate their privileges on the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows 10 Version 20H2, Windows Server version 20H2, Windows 10 Versions 1803, 1809, 1909, 2004, 1507, 1607
Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a malicious actor to execute arbitrary code and take control of the affected system.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2020-16961.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches 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 operating systems.
Conduct security training for employees to raise awareness of potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest security patches released by Microsoft to address the vulnerability.