Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows - User Profile Service

1) Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls

EUVDB-ID: #VU47623

Risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 6.8 [CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2020-16940

CWE-ID: CWE-264 - Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to the way Windows User Profile Service (ProfSvc) handles junction points. A local user can create a malicious application, launch it on the system and delete files and folders in an elevated context.

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows: 7 - 10 2004 10.0.19041.264

Windows Server: 2008 - 2019 2004

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10 1803:10.0.17134.48:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10 1809:10.0.17763.1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10 1909:10.0.18363.476:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10 1709:10.0.16299.19:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10 1903:10.0.18362.116:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10 2004:10.0.19041.264:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10 1607:10.0.14393.10:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:8.1 RT:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2019:10.0.17763.1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2019 1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2019 1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

http://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16940

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.