CVE-2020-0766 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Microsoft Store Runtime Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published on September 11, 2020.

Understanding CVE-2020-0766

What is CVE-2020-0766?

An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Microsoft Store Runtime allows attackers to execute specially crafted applications to gain elevated privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2020-0766

This vulnerability could lead to an attacker executing arbitrary code with higher privileges than intended, potentially compromising the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-0766

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is caused by improper handling of memory within the Microsoft Store Runtime, which attackers can exploit.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows 10 Version 1803, 1809, 1909, and 2004
Windows Server 2016, 2019
Windows 10 Versions 1607, 1709, and 1903

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, attackers need initial execution on the system to run a specially crafted application that triggers the privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security update provided by Microsoft to address the vulnerability.
Regularly update systems to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to limit users' access rights.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and mitigate potential risks.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and the importance of timely system updates.

Patching and Updates

Always prioritize the installation of security patches and updates to safeguard systems from known vulnerabilities.