Windows Runtime CVE-2020-1125
HIGHSeverity by source
AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Local vector and high complexity reflect race-condition-style exploitation requiring a low-privileged session; full C/I/A impact consistent with SYSTEM-level privilege escalation.
Primary rating from NVD.
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
4DescriptionNVD
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Runtime improperly handles objects in memory, aka 'Windows Runtime Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1077, CVE-2020-1086, CVE-2020-1090, CVE-2020-1139, CVE-2020-1149, CVE-2020-1151, CVE-2020-1155, CVE-2020-1156, CVE-2020-1157, CVE-2020-1158, CVE-2020-1164.
AnalysisAI
Elevation of privilege in the Windows Runtime (WinRT) component allows a local authenticated attacker to escalate from a low-privileged user account to full system-level access on affected Windows versions. The flaw stems from improper handling of objects in memory within WinRT, the application execution framework underpinning Windows 8.x and Windows 10. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis, but the EPSS score of 3.03% at the 86th percentile suggests meaningful exploitation interest relative to the broader CVE population. Microsoft has released a patch via the MSRC advisory portal.
Technical ContextAI
Windows Runtime (WinRT) is Microsoft's component object model-based application framework, introduced in Windows 8 and central to UWP application execution on Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016/2019. The vulnerability arises from improper memory object lifecycle management within WinRT internals - likely a use-after-free, dangling pointer, or similar memory corruption condition (CWE is unassigned, limiting precise root-cause classification). The CVSS vector AV:L/AC:H signals that exploitation requires local system access and elevated attack complexity, consistent with a race condition or precise memory-state trigger. Affected CPE strings span cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10 across versions from base through 1909, plus windows_8.1, windows_rt_8.1, and windows_server_2016. Windows Server 2019 is noted in vendor tags but not represented in the NVD CPE list - its inclusion should be verified against the Microsoft advisory.
RemediationAI
Apply the vendor-released patch provided by Microsoft through the May 2020 Patch Tuesday update cycle. The authoritative advisory and patch download links are available at https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1125 and https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-1125. An exact fixed build version is not independently confirmed from the available input data - consult the MSRC advisory directly to identify the specific KB article and cumulative update applicable to each affected Windows version. If immediate patching is not feasible, mitigate by restricting interactive logon and remote desktop access to only trusted, fully-vetted accounts on affected systems, thereby reducing the attacker's ability to obtain the low-privileged local session required for exploitation. Note that restricting logon access does not eliminate the vulnerability but substantially reduces the attack surface.
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