CVE-2020-16876 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-16876, an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Application Compatibility Client Library affecting various Windows versions. Find out the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
Windows Application Compatibility Client Library Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published by Microsoft on October 13, 2020. The vulnerability affects various versions of Windows, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges.
Understanding CVE-2020-16876
This CVE identifies an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Application Compatibility Client Library.
What is CVE-2020-16876?
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Application Compatibility Client Library allows attackers to gain elevated privileges by exploiting how the library handles registry operations.
The Impact of CVE-2020-16876
If successfully exploited, attackers could gain elevated privileges on the affected systems, potentially leading to further malicious activities.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-16876
This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from the improper handling of registry operations by the Windows Application Compatibility Client Library.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Windows 10 Version 1803, 1809, 1909, 2004, 1507, 1607
- Windows Server 2019, 2016
- Windows Server, version 1909, 1903, 2004
- Various platforms including x64-based Systems, ARM64-based Systems, and 32-bit Systems
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs code execution on the victim system to run a specially crafted application.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protect your systems from CVE-2020-16876 with the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the security update provided by Microsoft to address the vulnerability.
- Monitor for any unusual activities on the network.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch your systems to prevent known vulnerabilities.
- Implement least privilege access to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest security patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.