CVE-2020-10864 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

An issue was discovered in Avast Antivirus before version 20, where the aswTask RPC endpoint in the Avast Service allows attackers to trigger a reboot from a Low Integrity process.

Understanding CVE-2020-10864

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Avast Antivirus that could be exploited by attackers to initiate a system reboot through a specific RPC endpoint.

What is CVE-2020-10864?

The vulnerability in Avast Antivirus before version 20 enables attackers to force a system reboot using the aswTask RPC endpoint from a Low Integrity process.

The Impact of CVE-2020-10864

Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to a denial of service (DoS) situation, disrupting normal system operation and potentially causing data loss or system instability.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-10864

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the Avast Service (AvastSvc.exe) where the aswTask RPC endpoint for the TaskEx library can be abused to trigger a system reboot.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Avast Antivirus
Versions affected: Before version 20

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending malicious RPC requests from a Low Integrity process to the aswTask RPC endpoint, forcing a system reboot.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-10864 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Avast Antivirus to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious RPC activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict access to critical system functions.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates from Avast and apply patches promptly to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.