CVE-2020-17140 : What You Need to Know

Windows SMB Information Disclosure Vulnerability was published on December 8, 2020, by Microsoft affecting various Windows versions.

Understanding CVE-2020-17140

This CVE identifies an Information Disclosure vulnerability in Windows systems.

What is CVE-2020-17140?

The CVE-2020-17140 is an Information Disclosure vulnerability in Windows systems that could allow an attacker to access sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2020-17140

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 8.1, indicating a high severity level. If exploited, it could lead to unauthorized access to confidential data.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-17140

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to disclose sensitive information on affected Windows 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 (Server Core installation)
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
Windows 10 Version 1507, Windows 10 Version 1607
Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
Windows 7, Windows 7 Service Pack 1
Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information on the affected Windows systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-17140, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates provided by Microsoft promptly.
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure.
Monitor network traffic for signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all Windows systems.
Conduct security training for employees to recognize phishing attempts.

Patching and Updates

Microsoft has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Ensure all affected systems are updated with the latest patches.