How severe is CVE-2020-1170?

CVE-2020-1170 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-2020-1170 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (73rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-1170?

CVE-2020-1170 primarily affects Microsoft Windows Defender. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-1170?

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-2020-1170 published?

CVE-2020-1170 was published on 2020-06-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-1170

CVE-2020-1170 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Defender 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. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-732.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (73rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-732
Affected product: Microsoft Windows Defender
Published: 2020-06-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows Defender that leads arbitrary file deletion on the system.To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system, aka 'Microsoft Windows Defender Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1163.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-1170?: An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows Defender that leads arbitrary file deletion on the system.To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system, aka 'Microsoft Windows Defender Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1163.
How severe is CVE-2020-1170?: CVE-2020-1170 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-2020-1170 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (73rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-1170?: CVE-2020-1170 primarily affects Microsoft Windows Defender. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-1170?: 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-2020-1170 published?: CVE-2020-1170 was published on 2020-06-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_defender:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:forefront_endpoint_protection_2010:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:security_essentials:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:system_center_endpoint_protection:2012:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:system_center_endpoint_protection:2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*

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