How severe is CVE-2020-7279?

CVE-2020-7279 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.6, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires high privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-7279 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (33rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-7279?

CVE-2020-7279 primarily affects Mcafee Host Intrusion Prevention. In total, 16 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-7279?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2020-7279 published?

CVE-2020-7279 was published on 2020-06-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-7279

CVE-2020-7279 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Mcafee Host Intrusion Prevention with a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.6. 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-426.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 4.6)
CVSS v2: 4.4
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (33rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-426
Affected product: Mcafee Host Intrusion Prevention
Published: 2020-06-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

DLL Search Order Hijacking Vulnerability in the installer component of McAfee Host Intrusion Prevention System (Host IPS) for Windows prior to 8.0.0 Patch 15 Update allows attackers with local access to execute arbitrary code via execution from a compromised folder.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-7279?: DLL Search Order Hijacking Vulnerability in the installer component of McAfee Host Intrusion Prevention System (Host IPS) for Windows prior to 8.0.0 Patch 15 Update allows attackers with local access to execute arbitrary code via execution from a compromised folder.
How severe is CVE-2020-7279?: CVE-2020-7279 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.6, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires high privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2020-7279 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (33rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-7279?: CVE-2020-7279 primarily affects Mcafee Host Intrusion Prevention. In total, 16 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-7279?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-7279 published?: CVE-2020-7279 was published on 2020-06-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10320

Affected products (16)

cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:-:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p1:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p10:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p11:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p12:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p13:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p14:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p15:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p2:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p3:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p4:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p5:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p6:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p7:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p8:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:host_intrusion_prevention:8.0.0:p9:*:*:*:windows:*:*

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