CVE-2020-16949
CVE-2020-16949 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.7. 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-401.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 4.7)
- CVSS v2: 5.0
- EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (86th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-401
- Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
<p>A denial of service vulnerability exists in Microsoft Outlook software when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could cause a remote denial of service against a system.</p> <p>Exploitation of the vulnerability requires that a specially crafted email be sent to a vulnerable Outlook server.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Outlook handles objects in memory.</p>
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-16949?
- <p>A denial of service vulnerability exists in Microsoft Outlook software when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could cause a remote denial of service against a system.</p> <p>Exploitation of the vulnerability requires that a specially crafted email be sent to a vulnerable Outlook server.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Outlook handles objects in memory.</p>
- How severe is CVE-2020-16949?
- CVE-2020-16949 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.7, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2020-16949 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (86th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2020-16949?
- CVE-2020-16949 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 26 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2020-16949?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- When was CVE-2020-16949 published?
- CVE-2020-16949 was published on 2020-10-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
Affected products (26)
- 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_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- 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:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:-:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2019:*:*:*:*:-:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:outlook:2010:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:outlook:2013:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:outlook:2013:sp1:*:*:rt:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:outlook:2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10
- CVE-2020-1467 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles hard links. An attacker who successfully…
- CVE-2021-26424 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Windows TCP/IP Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2021-28476 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Windows Hyper-V Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2021-26867 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Windows Hyper-V Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2019-1384 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): A security feature bypass vulnerability exists where a NETLOGON message is able to obtain the session key and sign…
- CVE-2019-1365 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Microsoft IIS Server fails to check the length of a buffer prior to…
All CVEs affecting Microsoft Windows 10 →
Other CWE-401 (Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime) vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-46289 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: lib/scatterlist: fix length calculations in…
- CVE-2025-39948 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ice: fix Rx page leak on multi-buffer frames The…
- CVE-2025-21954 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netmem: prevent TX of unreadable skbs Currently…
- CVE-2024-57947 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_set_pipapo: fix initial map…
- CVE-2024-56779 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfsd: fix nfs4_openowner leak when concurrent…
- CVE-2024-36911 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: hv_netvsc: Don't free decrypted memory In CoCo…
Browse all CWE-401 (Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime) vulnerabilities →