CVE-2020-16920 : What You Need to Know

Windows Application Compatibility Client Library Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published on October 13, 2020, by Microsoft. The vulnerability affects various Windows versions, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges.

Understanding CVE-2020-16920

An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Application Compatibility Client Library could lead to unauthorized access with elevated privileges.

What is CVE-2020-16920?

This vulnerability arises from improper handling of registry operations by the Windows Application Compatibility Client Library, enabling attackers to escalate privileges on compromised systems.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16920

Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in attackers gaining elevated privileges on affected Windows systems, potentially leading to further malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16920

The technical aspects of the vulnerability provide insight into its description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of registry operations by the Windows Application Compatibility Client Library, allowing attackers to execute specially crafted applications to gain elevated privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows 10 Version 1803, 1809, 1909, 2004
Windows Server 2019, 2019 (Server Core installation)
Windows 7, 8.1
Windows Server 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016
More versions detailed in the provided data

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, attackers need code execution on a victim system to run a specially crafted application, leveraging the improper handling of registry operations.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding the steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2020-16920 vulnerability is crucial for maintaining system security.

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
Implement least privilege access controls to limit potential damage from privilege escalation attacks

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security updates from Microsoft to protect against known vulnerabilities