External risk intelligence

Windows DNS Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2020-1350

A vulnerability in Windows Domain Name System servers allows for remote code execution when requests are improperly handled. This impacts affected servers, potentially leading to unauthorized system access and data compromise. Organizations face business risk due to potential system control by attackers.

2Halo Surface Signal

Remote Code Execution

Microsoft Windows Server 2008

r2

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2020-1350

The vulnerability affects Windows DNS Servers. While DNS is a network-accessible protocol, standard enterprise deployment patterns dictate that internal DNS servers reside behind firewalls and are not exposed directly to the public internet, making public-facing deployment uncommon.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability in Windows Domain Name System servers could allow for code execution. When these servers do not correctly process certain requests, a flaw is triggered. This could lead to significant business risk by compromising systems and data.

  • Vulnerable Windows DNS servers
  • Improper handling of requests
  • Remote code execution impact

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute code remotely on a vulnerable Windows Domain Name System server. This occurs when the server improperly handles specific requests. Successful exploitation could grant an attacker control over the affected system.

  • Exposure condition: Network access to DNS server.
  • Attacker starting point: Unauthenticated remote attacker.
  • Trigger and result: Malicious request leads to code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A critical vulnerability in Windows Domain Name System servers could allow attackers to execute code remotely. This could lead to unauthorized access and control over affected systems. The potential for widespread damage necessitates prompt attention from organizations.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Moderate
  • Required access or conditions: Network access
  • Business risk or urgency: Critical

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

A remote code execution vulnerability in Windows Domain Name System servers presents a significant risk, potentially allowing attackers to execute code on affected systems. This could lead to widespread compromise across an organization's network infrastructure. Understanding and addressing this vulnerability is crucial for maintaining system integrity and business continuity.

  • Identify all Windows DNS servers.
  • Restrict external network access.
  • Apply vendor updates and confirm.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Windows DNS Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2020-1350)?

CVE-2020-1350, also known as SIGRed, is a critical vulnerability in Windows DNS servers. It allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected servers by sending specially crafted requests, potentially granting them control over the server. This flaw is related to how DNS servers handle certain requests, specifically SIG resource records.

What type of weakness is CVE-2020-1350?

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-20, Improper Input Validation. It means the Windows DNS server does not validate input properly, allowing attackers to provide unexpected values that can alter control flow or lead to arbitrary code execution. In this specific case, an integer overflow occurs when parsing DNS responses with oversized SIG records, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow.

What is the scope of the CVE-2020-1350 vulnerability?

The vulnerability affects Microsoft Windows DNS servers, including various versions of Windows Server from 2003 to 2019. It is considered 'wormable,' meaning it can spread between vulnerable systems without user interaction. The vulnerability does not affect non-Microsoft DNS servers or Windows DNS clients.

How is CVE-2020-1350 relevant to enterprise security?

The SIGRed vulnerability poses a critical risk because it allows for remote code execution with SYSTEM-level privileges on DNS servers, which are often Domain Controllers. This can lead to full server compromise, domain administrator access, and lateral movement across an organization's network. Given its wormable nature, it has the potential for widespread impact if left unaddressed.

What are the recommended actions for CVE-2020-1350?

The primary recommendation is to apply the security patches released by Microsoft for affected Windows Server versions as soon as possible. If patching is not immediately feasible, a temporary workaround involving a registry modification is available, though it may impact DNS resolution for large responses. It is also advised to ensure internal DNS servers are not accessible from the internet and that internet-facing DNS servers are not configured as open resolvers.

References