How severe is CVE-2020-1278?

CVE-2020-1278 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-2020-1278 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (52nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-1278?

CVE-2020-1278 primarily affects Microsoft Visual Studio. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-1278?

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-2020-1278 published?

CVE-2020-1278 was published on 2020-06-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-1278

CVE-2020-1278 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Visual Studio 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: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (52nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Microsoft Visual Studio
Published: 2020-06-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector Service improperly handles file operations, aka 'Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1257, CVE-2020-1293.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-1278?: An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector Service improperly handles file operations, aka 'Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1257, CVE-2020-1293.
How severe is CVE-2020-1278?: CVE-2020-1278 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-2020-1278 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (52nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-1278?: CVE-2020-1278 primarily affects Microsoft Visual Studio. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-1278?: 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-2020-1278 published?: CVE-2020-1278 was published on 2020-06-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1278

Affected products (17)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio:2015:update3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio_2017:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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_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_2016:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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