CVE-2020-16900 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2020-16900, an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Event System affecting multiple Windows versions. Find out the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
Windows Event System Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published on October 16, 2020, by Microsoft. The vulnerability affects various Windows versions, allowing attackers to elevate privileges by exploiting the Windows Event System.
Understanding CVE-2020-16900
This CVE identifies an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Event System, impacting multiple Windows versions.
What is CVE-2020-16900?
An elevation of privilege vulnerability occurs due to the improper handling of objects in memory by the Windows Event System. Attackers can exploit this flaw to elevate their privileges on the victim's system.
The Impact of CVE-2020-16900
The vulnerability poses a high severity risk, with a CVSS base score of 7.0. Attackers can execute specially crafted applications to gain elevated privileges on affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-16900
This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The Windows Event System vulnerability arises from the incorrect handling of objects in memory, enabling attackers to escalate their privileges.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Windows 7, 8.1, 10, Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019
- Various versions for 32-bit, x64-based, and ARM64-based systems
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit this vulnerability, attackers need initial execution on the target system. They can then use a specially crafted application to escalate their privileges.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-16900 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the security update provided by Microsoft to address the vulnerability.
- Monitor for any unusual system behavior that could indicate exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update systems with the latest security patches and updates.
- Implement least privilege access to limit the impact of potential privilege escalation attacks.
Patching and Updates
Microsoft has released a security update to correct the vulnerability in the Windows Event System handling of objects in memory.