CVE-2020-1170 : What You Need to Know

Windows Defender Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability in Microsoft products

Understanding CVE-2020-1170

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows Defender, leading to arbitrary file deletion on the system.

What is CVE-2020-1170?

The CVE-2020-1170 vulnerability is an elevation of privilege issue in Windows Defender that allows an attacker to delete files on the system by first logging into the target system.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1170

This vulnerability can be exploited by malicious users to gain elevated privileges and potentially perform unauthorized actions on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1170

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Windows Defender can be exploited to achieve arbitrary file deletion, impacting system integrity.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010
Microsoft System Center: Endpoint Protection, 2012 R2 Endpoint Protection, 2012 Endpoint Protection
Windows Defender on various Windows versions
Windows 7, 8.1, RT 8.1, Server 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit the vulnerability, the attacker must first gain access to the system before maliciously deleting files, highlighting a critical security risk.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches from Microsoft promptly
Implement strict user access controls
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update antivirus definitions
Conduct security training for users regarding phishing and malware awareness
Employ network segmentation to contain potential breaches

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to regularly update and apply the latest security patches provided by Microsoft to mitigate the risk posed by the CVE-2020-1170 vulnerability.