Advisory Details

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Microsoft Windows. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within the shell handler for opening a folder in PowerShell. Crafted data in a folder name can trigger execution of a system call composed from a user-supplied string. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user.

This vulnerability is being disclosed publicly without a patch in accordance with the ZDI 120 day deadline.

12/23/20 – ZDI reported the vulnerability to the vendor
12/23/20 – The vendor acknowledged the report
12/28/20 – The vendor confirmed the behavior of the report
12/28/20 – The vendor indicated the case does not meet the bar for servicing
01/19/21 – ZDI notified the vendor of the intention to publish the case as a 0-day advisory on 01/27/21

-- Mitigation:
Given the nature of the vulnerability the only salient mitigation strategy is to restrict interaction with the application.

• 2020-12-23 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
• 2021-01-27 - Coordinated public release of advisory