How severe is CVE-2020-1286?

CVE-2020-1286 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-1286 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 12% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-1286?

CVE-2020-1286 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-1286?

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-2020-1286 published?

CVE-2020-1286 was published on 2020-06-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-1286

CVE-2020-1286 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 12% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 12% (96th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
Published: 2020-06-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Shell does not properly validate file paths.An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user, aka 'Windows Shell Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-1286?: A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Shell does not properly validate file paths.An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user, aka 'Windows Shell Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.
How severe is CVE-2020-1286?: CVE-2020-1286 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-1286 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 12% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-1286?: CVE-2020-1286 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-1286?: 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-2020-1286 published?: CVE-2020-1286 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-2020-1286

Affected products (10)

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_2016:1803:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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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