CVE-2020-1381: 
vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2020-1381 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability discovered in the Microsoft Windows Graphics Component, specifically within the DirectComposition SetBufferProperty function in the kernel. The vulnerability was reported to Microsoft on March 26, 2020, and was publicly disclosed on July 16, 2020 (ZDI Advisory).

The vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects in memory within the Windows Graphics Component. Specifically, the flaw exists within the handling of the DirectComposition SetBufferProperty function in the kernel, where there is a lack of validation for object existence prior to performing operations on the object. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) (ZDI Advisory).

When successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of the kernel. The attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system to exploit this vulnerability (ZDI Advisory).

The vulnerability requires local access and the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system as a prerequisite for exploitation. This indicates that while the vulnerability is serious, it cannot be exploited remotely without first gaining some level of access to the target system (ZDI Advisory).

Microsoft has released a security update to address this vulnerability. Users and system administrators are advised to apply the available patches through Microsoft's standard update channels (ZDI Advisory).