CVE-2020-14956 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Windows cleaning assistant 3.2 is affected by a vulnerability in the driver file (AtpKrnl.sys) that allows local users to cause a denial of service (BSOD) due to improper input validation.

Understanding CVE-2020-14956

This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in the Windows cleaning assistant 3.2 driver file that can be exploited by local users to trigger a denial of service or potentially have other unspecified impacts.

What is CVE-2020-14956?

The vulnerability in the AtpKrnl.sys driver file of Windows cleaning assistant 3.2 allows local users to initiate a denial of service attack by not properly validating input values from IOCtl 0x223CCA.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14956

The vulnerability can lead to a denial of service condition (BSOD) on the affected system, potentially causing disruption or system instability.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14956

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The driver file (AtpKrnl.sys) in Windows cleaning assistant 3.2 fails to validate input values from IOCtl 0x223CCA, enabling local users to trigger a denial of service attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Windows cleaning assistant 3.2
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by local users to send crafted input values through IOCtl 0x223CCA, leading to a denial of service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-14956 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches or updates provided by the vendor.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems to trusted users only.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and drivers.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access rights.
Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the Windows cleaning assistant 3.2 software is updated with the latest patches and fixes to mitigate the vulnerability.