CVE-2020-9858 – This vulnerability in Windows Migration Assista... (How to Fix)

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in Windows Migration Assistant allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into running the installer from an untrusted directory. It affects users running older versions of the software on Windows systems. The issue stems from improper dynamic library loading that can be exploited through DLL hijacking.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Windows Migration Assistant

Versions: Versions prior to 2.2.0.0

Operating Systems: Windows

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires user interaction - victim must run installer from malicious directory

📦 What is this software?

Windows Migration Assistant by Apple

View all CVEs affecting Windows Migration Assistant →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Full system compromise with administrative privileges, allowing installation of malware, data theft, or ransomware deployment.

🟠

Likely Case

Local privilege escalation leading to unauthorized access to sensitive files and system resources.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper user training and execution restrictions in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires social engineering to convince user to run installer from untrusted location

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 2.2.0.0 (v. 1A11)

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/HT211186

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Download Windows Migration Assistant 2.2.0.0 from Apple's official website
2. Run the installer
3. Follow on-screen instructions to complete installation

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict installer execution locations

windows

Only run Windows Migration Assistant from trusted directories like Downloads or Desktop

User awareness training

all

Educate users to only run installers from trusted sources and locations

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict user permissions to prevent execution from untrusted directories
Implement application whitelisting to control which applications can run

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Windows Migration Assistant version in Control Panel > Programs and Features

Check Version:

wmic product where name="Windows Migration Assistant" get version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify version shows 2.2.0.0 or higher after update

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Process execution events for Windows Migration Assistant from unusual directories
DLL loading failures or unusual DLL paths

Network Indicators:

Unusual outbound connections following installer execution

SIEM Query:

ProcessName="Windows Migration Assistant" AND ProcessPath NOT CONTAINS "Program Files"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-9858

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-427

Published: June 9, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://support.apple.com/HT211186 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT211186 Vendor Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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