CVE-2019-0656 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability known as "Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability" affects various versions of Windows and Windows Server.

Understanding CVE-2019-0656

What is CVE-2019-0656?

An elevation of privilege vulnerability occurs in the Windows kernel due to improper memory object handling.

The Impact of CVE-2019-0656

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-0656

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the Windows kernel's inadequate management of objects in memory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows: 8.1, RT 8.1, 10 (multiple versions), 10 Version 1607, 10 Version 1703, 10 Version 1709, 10 Version 1803, 10 Version 1809
Windows Server: 2012 R2, 2016, version 1709, version 1803, 2019

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a local attacker to gain elevated privileges on the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security updates from Microsoft.
Monitor for any unauthorized system changes.
Implement the principle of least privilege for user accounts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and operating systems.
Conduct security training for users to recognize and report suspicious activities.
Employ network segmentation to limit the impact of potential breaches.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest security patches provided by Microsoft.