CVE-2020-16936
CVE-2020-16936 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 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% (55th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Backup Service improperly handles file operations.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to gain execution on the victim system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application to elevate privileges.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Backup Service handles file operations.</p>
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-16936?
- <p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Backup Service improperly handles file operations.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to gain execution on the victim system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application to elevate privileges.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Backup Service handles file operations.</p>
- How severe is CVE-2020-16936?
- CVE-2020-16936 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-2020-16936 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (55th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2020-16936?
- CVE-2020-16936 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 15 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2020-16936?
- 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-2020-16936 published?
- CVE-2020-16936 was published on 2020-10-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
Affected products (15)
- 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_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- 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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