CVE-2020-16996 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Kerberos Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability was published on December 8, 2020, affecting various Microsoft Windows Server versions.

Understanding CVE-2020-16996

This CVE involves a security feature bypass vulnerability in Kerberos.

What is CVE-2020-16996?

CVE-2020-16996 is a security feature bypass vulnerability in Kerberos, impacting multiple versions of Microsoft Windows Server.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16996

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 6.5, categorizing it as a medium severity issue. It allows an attacker to bypass security features in Kerberos, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16996

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for a security feature bypass in Kerberos, affecting the authentication process.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server versions 1909, 1903, 2004
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012, 2012 (Server Core installation), 2012 R2, 2012 R2 (Server Core installation), version 20H2

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to bypass Kerberos security features, potentially gaining unauthorized access to systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-16996, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates provided by Microsoft promptly.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual activities on the network.
Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch systems to prevent vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for employees to enhance awareness of potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Install the latest security updates and patches released by Microsoft to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.