CVE-2020-16959 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Windows Backup Engine Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published on December 8, 2020, by Microsoft.

Understanding CVE-2020-16959

This CVE identifies an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Backup Engine.

What is CVE-2020-16959?

The CVE-2020-16959 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Backup Engine, affecting various Microsoft Windows versions.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16959

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.8, indicating a high severity level. It allows attackers to elevate privileges on the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16959

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE-2020-16959 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to gain elevated privileges on the affected Windows systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows 10 Version 20H2, 1803, 1809, 1909, 2004
Windows Server 2019, 2016
Windows 7, Server 2008 R2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to escalate their privileges on the compromised systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-16959, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary security updates provided by Microsoft.
Monitor for any unusual activities on the network.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all systems and software.
Conduct security training for employees to recognize and report suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Install the latest security updates from Microsoft to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.