How severe is CVE-2020-16901?

CVE-2020-16901 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.0, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-16901 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-16901?

CVE-2020-16901 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16901?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2020-16901 published?

CVE-2020-16901 was published on 2020-10-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-16901

CVE-2020-16901 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.0. 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-665.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.0)
CVSS v2: 2.1
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (70th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-665
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
Published: 2020-10-16
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel improperly initializes objects in memory. To exploit this vulnerability, an authenticated attacker could run a specially crafted application. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could obtain information to further compromise the user’s system. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows kernel initializes objects in memory.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-16901?: An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel improperly initializes objects in memory. To exploit this vulnerability, an authenticated attacker could run a specially crafted application. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could obtain information to further compromise the user’s system. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows kernel initializes objects in memory.
How severe is CVE-2020-16901?: CVE-2020-16901 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.0, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2020-16901 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-16901?: CVE-2020-16901 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-16901?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-16901 published?: CVE-2020-16901 was published on 2020-10-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16901

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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