CVE-2020-1157 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Windows Runtime, leading to potential security risks for various Microsoft operating systems.

Understanding CVE-2020-1157

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the way the Windows Runtime manages memory objects, potentially allowing attackers to elevate privileges on affected systems.

What is CVE-2020-1157?

Vulnerability Name: Windows Runtime Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
CVE ID: CVE-2020-1157
CVSS Score: Not specified

The Impact of CVE-2020-1157

The vulnerability poses a risk of privilege escalation for users on affected Windows-based systems, which could enable unauthorized access to sensitive resources.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1157

Vulnerability Description

The flaw originates from the improper handling of objects in memory within the Windows Runtime environment.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Microsoft products and versions are impacted:

Windows 10 Version 1909 for 32-bit Systems, ARM64-based Systems, and x64-based Systems
Windows Server, version 1909 (Server Core installation)
Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems, ARM64-based Systems, and x64-based Systems
Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation)
Various versions of Windows including 10, 1809, 1803, 1607, and 1709 for different architectures
Windows Server versions 2019, 2019 (Core installation), 2016, 1803 (Core Installation), and 2016 (Core installation)

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires a malicious actor to execute a specially crafted application on the target system, triggering the privilege escalation flaw.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply Microsoft's recommended security updates for the affected products and versions.
Monitor for any unusual system behavior that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update systems with the latest security patches to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls to limit user privileges and mitigate potential exploit risks.

Patching and Updates

Microsoft has likely released security patches to address CVE-2020-1157. It is crucial to apply these patches promptly to safeguard systems against potential exploitation.