CVE-2020-16938
CVE-2020-16938 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
- CVSS v2: 2.1
- EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (82nd percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could obtain information to further compromise the user’s system.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to log on to an affected system and run a specially crafted application. The vulnerability would not allow an attacker to execute code or to elevate user rights directly, but it could be used to obtain information that could be used to try to further compromise the affected system.</p> <p>The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows kernel handles objects in memory.</p>
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-16938?
- <p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could obtain information to further compromise the user’s system.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to log on to an affected system and run a specially crafted application. The vulnerability would not allow an attacker to execute code or to elevate user rights directly, but it could be used to obtain information that could be used to try to further compromise the affected system.</p> <p>The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows kernel handles objects in memory.</p>
- How severe is CVE-2020-16938?
- CVE-2020-16938 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
- Is CVE-2020-16938 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (82nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2020-16938?
- CVE-2020-16938 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-2020-16938?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- When was CVE-2020-16938 published?
- CVE-2020-16938 was published on 2020-10-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
Affected products (2)
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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