CVE-2020-0626 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-0626, an elevation of privilege vulnerability in Windows Search Indexer. Find affected systems, exploitation risks, and mitigation steps.
Windows Search Indexer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Understanding CVE-2020-0626
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Search Indexer handles objects in memory. This CVE ID is distinct from several others.
What is CVE-2020-0626?
CVE-2020-0626 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability found in the Windows Search Indexer.
The Impact of CVE-2020-0626
This vulnerability could allow an attacker to elevate privileges on the affected system, leading to potential unauthorized access and control.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-0626
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability lies in the way Windows Search Indexer manages objects in memory.
Affected Systems and Versions
Following are the affected systems and versions:
- Windows 10 Version 1803 for 32-bit, x64-based, and ARM64-based Systems
- Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit, x64-based, and ARM64-based Systems
- Windows 10 Version 1709 for 32-bit, x64-based, and ARM64-based Systems
- Windows 10 for 32-bit and x64-based Systems
- Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit and x64-based Systems
- Windows 7 for 32-bit and x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
- Windows 8.1 for 32-bit and x64-based systems
- Windows RT 8.1
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited through crafted attacks targeting the Windows Search Indexer.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the latest security updates provided by Microsoft for the affected systems.
- Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access.
- Monitor system logs for any suspicious activity.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software and operating systems.
- Conduct security awareness training for users to recognize and report suspicious activities.
- Employ network segmentation to minimize the impact of a potential breach.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all security patches and updates released by Microsoft are promptly applied to the affected systems to mitigate the CVE-2020-0626 vulnerability.