How severe is CVE-2020-15264?

CVE-2020-15264 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-15264 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-15264?

CVE-2020-15264 affects Chocolatey Boxstarter. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15264?

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-2020-15264 published?

CVE-2020-15264 was published on 2020-10-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-15264

CVE-2020-15264 is a high-severity vulnerability in Chocolatey Boxstarter with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.0. 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-73.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.0)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (71st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-73
Affected product: Chocolatey Boxstarter
Published: 2020-10-20
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The Boxstarter installer before version 2.13.0 configures C:\ProgramData\Boxstarter to be in the system-wide PATH environment variable. However, this directory is writable by normal, unprivileged users. To exploit the vulnerability, place a DLL in this directory that a privileged service is looking for. For example, WptsExtensions.dll When Windows starts, it'll execute the code in DllMain() with SYSTEM privileges. Any unprivileged user can execute code with SYSTEM privileges. The issue is fixed in version 3.13.0

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-15264?: The Boxstarter installer before version 2.13.0 configures C:\ProgramData\Boxstarter to be in the system-wide PATH environment variable. However, this directory is writable by normal, unprivileged users. To exploit the vulnerability, place a DLL in this directory that a privileged service is looking for. For example, WptsExtensions.dll When Windows starts, it'll execute the code in DllMain() with SYSTEM privileges. Any unprivileged user can execute code with SYSTEM privileges. The issue is fixed in version 3.13.0
How severe is CVE-2020-15264?: CVE-2020-15264 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-15264 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-15264?: CVE-2020-15264 affects Chocolatey Boxstarter. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-15264?: 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-2020-15264 published?: CVE-2020-15264 was published on 2020-10-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:chocolatey:boxstarter:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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