CVE-2020-0986
Published: 09 June 2020
Summary
CVE-2020-0986 is a high-severity Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1709. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 5.0% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 AC-6 (Least Privilege) and SI-16 (Memory Protection).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2020-0986 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows kernel stemming from improper handling of objects in memory. It is tracked under CWE-787 and carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 reflecting local attack vector, low complexity, and low required privileges. The flaw is distinct from multiple other Windows kernel issues disclosed concurrently.
A local attacker with existing low-privileged access can exploit the vulnerability to elevate privileges and obtain high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected system. Public proof-of-concept material references the splWOW64 component as an exploitation path.
Microsoft published mitigation guidance and patches via its security advisory portal. The vulnerability appears in CISA's catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities, indicating confirmed real-world use.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2020-2452
Vulnerability details
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1237, CVE-2020-1246, CVE-2020-1262, CVE-2020-1264, CVE-2020-1266, CVE-2020-1269, CVE-2020-1273, CVE-2020-1274, CVE-2020-1275, CVE-2020-1276,…
more
CVE-2020-1307, CVE-2020-1316.
- CWE(s)
- KEV Date Added
- 03 November 2021
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly requires memory protection mechanisms that would block the out-of-bounds object handling flaw used for kernel privilege escalation.
Enforces least-privilege execution so a low-privileged local user cannot reach or exploit the kernel memory flaw to gain elevated rights.
Mandates proper access enforcement on kernel objects, which the vulnerability bypasses to achieve unauthorized privilege elevation.