CVE-2020-17077 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Windows Update Stack Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published on November 11, 2020, by Microsoft. The vulnerability affects various versions of Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows Server.

Understanding CVE-2020-17077

This CVE identifies an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Update Stack.

What is CVE-2020-17077?

The CVE-2020-17077 vulnerability is classified as an elevation of privilege issue, allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges on the affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2020-17077

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.8. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on the target system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-17077

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the Windows Update Stack, enabling unauthorized users to escalate their privileges on the affected systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows 10 Version 20H2, Windows Server version 20H2
Windows 10 Version 1803, Windows 10 Version 1809
Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
Windows 10 Version 1909, Windows Server, version 1909
Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit, x64-based, and ARM64-based Systems
Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation)
Windows 10 Version 2004, Windows Server version 2004

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to a complete system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-17077 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Microsoft promptly.
Monitor for any suspicious activities on the network.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and operating systems.
Conduct security training for employees to raise awareness of potential threats.
Utilize intrusion detection and prevention systems to monitor network traffic.

Patching and Updates

Microsoft regularly releases security updates and patches to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2020-17077. Ensure that systems are up to date with the latest security fixes.