CVE-2020-16980 : What You Need to Know

Windows iSCSI Target Service vulnerability allowing privilege escalation.

Understanding CVE-2020-16980

What is CVE-2020-16980?

An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows iSCSI Target Service allows attackers to gain elevated privileges by exploiting how file operations are handled.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16980

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers with code execution on a victim system, enabling them to run specially crafted applications and elevate their privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16980

Vulnerability Description

The Windows iSCSI Target Service vulnerability arises from improper handling of file operations, leading to privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server, version 1909 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server version 2004
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012 R2

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by attackers with code execution on a victim system, allowing them to run a specially crafted application.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security update provided by Microsoft to address the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual file operations or privilege escalations on affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch systems to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and least privilege principles to limit potential attack surfaces.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the security patch released by Microsoft to mitigate the vulnerability.