How severe is CVE-2020-0998?

CVE-2020-0998 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-2020-0998 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-2020-0998?

CVE-2020-0998 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-2020-0998?

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-2020-0998 published?

CVE-2020-0998 was published on 2020-09-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-0998

CVE-2020-0998 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

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Graphics Component improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run processes in an elevated context. In a local attack scenario, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability by running a specially crafted application to take control over the affected system. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way in which the Microsoft Graphics Component handles objects in memory and preventing unintended elevation from user mode.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-0998?: An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Graphics Component improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run processes in an elevated context. In a local attack scenario, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability by running a specially crafted application to take control over the affected system. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way in which the Microsoft Graphics Component handles objects in memory and preventing unintended elevation from user mode.
How severe is CVE-2020-0998?: CVE-2020-0998 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-2020-0998 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-2020-0998?: CVE-2020-0998 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-2020-0998?: 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-2020-0998 published?: CVE-2020-0998 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-2020-0998

Affected products (19)

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_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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