CVE-2020-0661 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A denial of service vulnerability exists in Microsoft Hyper-V, affecting various Windows and Windows Server versions.

Understanding CVE-2020-0661

This CVE concerns a denial of service vulnerability in Windows Hyper-V.

What is CVE-2020-0661?

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Microsoft Hyper-V when it fails to properly validate input from a privileged user on a guest operating system. It is known as the 'Windows Hyper-V Denial of Service Vulnerability'.

The Impact of CVE-2020-0661

The vulnerability could allow an attacker to cause a denial of service on the host server running Microsoft Hyper-V.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-0661

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a failure to adequately validate input from a privileged user on a guest OS in a Hyper-V environment.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following products and versions are affected:

Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems, Version 1607
Windows Server 2019, 2019 (Core installation), 2016, 2016 (Core installation)
Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation)
Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server, version 1909 (Server Core installation)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with access to a privileged user account within a guest OS can exploit this vulnerability to trigger a denial of service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-0661, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply relevant security updates provided by Microsoft.
Monitor and restrict privileged user access in Hyper-V environments.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Windows and Windows Server installations.
Enforce the principle of least privilege for user accounts in the Hyper-V environment.

Patching and Updates

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