Microsoft Windows CryptoAPI Spoofing Vulnerability (CVE-2020-0601)
Severity: high · Patch status: patched · Since 2021-11-03 · CVE-2020-0601
Microsoft Windows CryptoAPI (Crypt32.dll) contains a spoofing vulnerability in the way it validates Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) certificates. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by using a spoofed code-signing certificate to sign a malicious executable, making it appear the file was from a trusted, legitimate source. A successful exploit could also allow the attacker to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks and decrypt confidential information on user connections to the affected software. The vulnerability is also known under the moniker of CurveBall. CISA added CVE-2020-0601 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Nov 3, 2021, which means attackers are exploiting it in the wild.
What to do
- Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- US federal agencies must remediate by May 3, 2022 (BOD 22-01); treat that as the outer limit.
Sources
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