CVE-2020-16891 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-16891, a critical remote code execution vulnerability in Windows Hyper-V. Find out affected systems, impact, and mitigation steps.
Windows Hyper-V Remote Code Execution Vulnerability was published on October 13, 2020, by Microsoft. The vulnerability affects various versions of Windows operating systems.
Understanding CVE-2020-16891
This CVE identifies a critical remote code execution vulnerability in Windows Hyper-V, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the host operating system.
What is CVE-2020-16891?
A remote code execution flaw in Windows Hyper-V allows an attacker on a guest OS to run a specially crafted application, leading to arbitrary code execution on the host OS.
The Impact of CVE-2020-16891
- Successful exploitation enables an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the host OS.
- The vulnerability poses a high severity risk with a CVSS base score of 8.8.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-16891
This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from Hyper-V's failure to validate input from an authenticated user on a guest OS, allowing the execution of arbitrary code on the host OS.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Windows 10 Version 2004
- Windows Server version 2004
- Windows 10 Versions 1803, 1809, 1909
- Windows Server 2019, 2016
- Windows 7, 8.1
- Windows Server 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker needs to run a specially crafted application on a guest OS to trigger the execution of arbitrary code on the Hyper-V host OS.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protect your systems from CVE-2020-16891 with the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the security update provided by Microsoft to address the vulnerability.
- Monitor for any signs of exploitation or unauthorized access.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch your systems to prevent known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network segmentation and least privilege access controls.
Patching and Updates
- Ensure all affected systems are updated with the latest security patches from Microsoft.