How severe is CVE-2020-7257?

CVE-2020-7257 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-7257 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (16th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-7257?

CVE-2020-7257 primarily affects Mcafee Endpoint Security. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-7257?

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-2020-7257 published?

CVE-2020-7257 was published on 2020-04-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-7257

CVE-2020-7257 is a high-severity vulnerability in Mcafee Endpoint Security with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4. 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-269.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.4)
CVSS v2: 3.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (16th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Mcafee Endpoint Security
Published: 2020-04-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Privilege escalation vulnerability in McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) for Windows prior to 10.7.0 February 2020 Update allows local users to cause the deletion and creation of files they would not normally have permission to through altering the target of symbolic links whilst an anti-virus scan was in progress. This is timing dependent.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-7257?: Privilege escalation vulnerability in McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) for Windows prior to 10.7.0 February 2020 Update allows local users to cause the deletion and creation of files they would not normally have permission to through altering the target of symbolic links whilst an anti-virus scan was in progress. This is timing dependent.
How severe is CVE-2020-7257?: CVE-2020-7257 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-7257 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (16th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-7257?: CVE-2020-7257 primarily affects Mcafee Endpoint Security. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-7257?: 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-2020-7257 published?: CVE-2020-7257 was published on 2020-04-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10309

Affected products (7)

cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:endpoint_security:10.5.0:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:endpoint_security:10.5.1:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:endpoint_security:10.5.2:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:endpoint_security:10.5.3:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:endpoint_security:10.5.4:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:endpoint_security:10.5.5:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:endpoint_security:10.6.0:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Mcafee Endpoint Security

CVE-2020-7319 — High (CVSS 8.8): Improper Access Control vulnerability in McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) for Windows prior to 10.7.0 September 2020…
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CVE-2019-3582 — High (CVSS 8.6): Privilege Escalation vulnerability in Microsoft Windows client in McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) 10.6.1 and earlier…
CVE-2021-23882 — High (CVSS 8.2): Improper Access Control vulnerability in McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) for Windows prior to 10.7.0 February 2021…
CVE-2020-7250 — High (CVSS 8.2): Symbolic link manipulation vulnerability in McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) for Windows prior to 10.7.0 February 2020…

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