How severe is CVE-2020-27697?

CVE-2020-27697 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-27697 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (43rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-27697?

CVE-2020-27697 primarily affects Trendmicro Antivirus+ Security 2020. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-27697?

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-2020-27697 published?

CVE-2020-27697 was published on 2020-11-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-27697

CVE-2020-27697 is a high-severity vulnerability in Trendmicro Antivirus+ Security 2020 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. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-59.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 6.9
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (43rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Trendmicro Antivirus+ Security 2020
Published: 2020-11-18
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Trend Micro Security 2020 (Consumer) contains a vulnerability in the installer package that could be exploited by placing a malicious DLL in a non-protected location with high privileges (symlink attack) which can lead to obtaining administrative privileges during the installation of the product.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-27697?: Trend Micro Security 2020 (Consumer) contains a vulnerability in the installer package that could be exploited by placing a malicious DLL in a non-protected location with high privileges (symlink attack) which can lead to obtaining administrative privileges during the installation of the product.
How severe is CVE-2020-27697?: CVE-2020-27697 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-27697 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (43rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-27697?: CVE-2020-27697 primarily affects Trendmicro Antivirus+ Security 2020. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-27697?: 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-2020-27697 published?: CVE-2020-27697 was published on 2020-11-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://helpcenter.trendmicro.com/en-us/article/TMKA-10036

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:trendmicro:antivirus\+_security_2020:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:trendmicro:internet_security_2020:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:trendmicro:maximum_security_2020:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:trendmicro:premium_security_2020:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Trendmicro Antivirus+ Security 2020

CVE-2019-18190 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Trend Micro Security (Consumer) 2020 (v16.x) is affected by a vulnerability in where null pointer dereference errors…
CVE-2020-27696 — High (CVSS 7.8): Trend Micro Security 2020 (Consumer) contains a vulnerability in the installer package that could be exploited by…
CVE-2020-27695 — High (CVSS 7.8): Trend Micro Security 2020 (Consumer) contains a vulnerability in the installer package that could be exploited by…
CVE-2021-25251 — High (CVSS 7.2): The Trend Micro Security 2020 and 2021 families of consumer products are vulnerable to a code injection vulnerability…
CVE-2019-19693 — High (CVSS 7.1): The Trend Micro Security 2020 consumer family of products contains a vulnerability that could allow a local attacker to…

All CVEs affecting Trendmicro Antivirus+ Security 2020 →

Other CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (Link Following)) vulnerabilities

CVE-2024-37143 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Dell PowerFlex appliance versions prior to IC 46.381.00 and IC 46.376.00, Dell PowerFlex rack versions prior to RCM…
CVE-2024-28189 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Judge0 is an open-source online code execution system. The application uses the UNIX chown command on an untrusted file…
CVE-2024-28185 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Judge0 is an open-source online code execution system. The application does not account for symlinks placed inside the…
CVE-2022-22995 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The combination of primitives offered by SMB and AFP in their default configuration allows the arbitrary writing of…
CVE-2014-4480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Directory traversal vulnerability in afc in AppleFileConduit in Apple iOS before 8.1.3 and Apple TV before 7.0.3 allows…
CVE-2002-2374 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unspecified vulnerability in pprosetup in Sun PatchPro 2.0 has unknown impact and attack vectors related to "unsafe use…

Browse all CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (Link Following)) vulnerabilities →