How severe is CVE-2020-16995?

CVE-2020-16995 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-2020-16995 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (57th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-16995?

CVE-2020-16995 affects Microsoft Network Watcher Agent. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16995?

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-2020-16995 published?

CVE-2020-16995 was published on 2020-10-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-16995

CVE-2020-16995 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Network Watcher Agent 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: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (57th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Microsoft Network Watcher Agent
Published: 2020-10-16
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Network Watcher Agent virtual machine extension for Linux. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute code with elevated privileges. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to be present as a user on the affected virtual machine. The security update addresses this vulnerability by correcting how Network Watcher Agent virtual machine extension for Linux executes with elevated privileges.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-16995?: An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Network Watcher Agent virtual machine extension for Linux. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute code with elevated privileges. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to be present as a user on the affected virtual machine. The security update addresses this vulnerability by correcting how Network Watcher Agent virtual machine extension for Linux executes with elevated privileges.
How severe is CVE-2020-16995?: CVE-2020-16995 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-2020-16995 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (57th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-16995?: CVE-2020-16995 affects Microsoft Network Watcher Agent. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-16995?: 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-2020-16995 published?: CVE-2020-16995 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-2020-16995

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:network_watcher_agent:-:*:*:*:*:linux:*:*