CVE-2020-0838

CVE-2020-0838 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
• CVSS v2: 7.2
• EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (58th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
• Published: 2020-09-11
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when NTFS improperly checks access. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run processes in an elevated context.</p> <p>To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system, and then run a specially crafted application to take control over the affected system.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how NTFS checks access.</p>

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-0838?

<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when NTFS improperly checks access. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run processes in an elevated context.</p> <p>To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system, and then run a specially crafted application to take control over the affected system.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how NTFS checks access.</p>

How severe is CVE-2020-0838?

CVE-2020-0838 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-0838 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (58th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-0838?

CVE-2020-0838 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 22 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-0838?

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-2020-0838 published?

CVE-2020-0838 was published on 2020-09-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0838

Affected products (22)

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• 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_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• 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_2016:1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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