How severe is CVE-2019-1280?

CVE-2019-1280 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2019-1280 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 19% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-1280?

CVE-2019-1280 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 19 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-1280?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2019-1280 published?

CVE-2019-1280 was published on 2019-09-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-1280

CVE-2019-1280 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 19% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-59.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 19% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
Published: 2019-09-11
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Windows that could allow remote code execution if a .LNK file is processed.An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user, aka 'LNK Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-1280?: A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Windows that could allow remote code execution if a .LNK file is processed.An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user, aka 'LNK Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.
How severe is CVE-2019-1280?: CVE-2019-1280 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2019-1280 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 19% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-1280?: CVE-2019-1280 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 19 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-1280?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2019-1280 published?: CVE-2019-1280 was published on 2019-09-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1280

Affected products (19)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1703:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1709:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1803:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:itanium:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1803:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10

CVE-2020-1467 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles hard links. An attacker who successfully…
CVE-2021-26424 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Windows TCP/IP Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2021-28476 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Windows Hyper-V Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2021-26867 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Windows Hyper-V Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2020-1112 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) IIS…
CVE-2019-1384 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): A security feature bypass vulnerability exists where a NETLOGON message is able to obtain the session key and sign…

All CVEs affecting Microsoft Windows 10 →

Other CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (Link Following)) vulnerabilities

CVE-2024-37143 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Dell PowerFlex appliance versions prior to IC 46.381.00 and IC 46.376.00, Dell PowerFlex rack versions prior to RCM…
CVE-2024-28189 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Judge0 is an open-source online code execution system. The application uses the UNIX chown command on an untrusted file…
CVE-2024-28185 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Judge0 is an open-source online code execution system. The application does not account for symlinks placed inside the…
CVE-2022-22995 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The combination of primitives offered by SMB and AFP in their default configuration allows the arbitrary writing of…
CVE-2014-4480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Directory traversal vulnerability in afc in AppleFileConduit in Apple iOS before 8.1.3 and Apple TV before 7.0.3 allows…
CVE-2002-2374 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unspecified vulnerability in pprosetup in Sun PatchPro 2.0 has unknown impact and attack vectors related to "unsafe use…

Browse all CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (Link Following)) vulnerabilities →