CVE-2020-16897 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

NetBT Information Disclosure Vulnerability was published on October 13, 2020, by Microsoft. The vulnerability affects various Windows versions.

Understanding CVE-2020-16897

This CVE discloses an information vulnerability in NetBIOS over TCP (NBT) Extensions (NetBT) that mishandles memory objects, potentially leading to system compromise.

What is CVE-2020-16897?

An information disclosure flaw in NetBT allows attackers to access sensitive data for further system exploitation.
Exploitation requires a specially crafted application but does not directly enable code execution or user rights elevation.
The update addresses the issue by rectifying memory object handling in NetBT.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16897

Vulnerability Type: Information Disclosure
Severity: Medium
CVSS Base Score: 5.5
CVSS Vector: AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:C

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16897

This section provides specific technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

NetBT vulnerability allows unauthorized access to system information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows 7, 8.1, 10, Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, and their variants are impacted.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the flaw by manipulating NetBT memory objects.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-16897 with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security update provided by Microsoft promptly.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and operating systems.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches as soon as they are released.