How severe is CVE-2020-7282?

CVE-2020-7282 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-7282 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (22nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-7282?

CVE-2020-7282 affects Mcafee Total Protection. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-7282?

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-2020-7282 published?

CVE-2020-7282 was published on 2020-07-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-7282

CVE-2020-7282 is a high-severity vulnerability in Mcafee Total Protection with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. 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 7.5)
CVSS v2: 3.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (22nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Mcafee Total Protection
Published: 2020-07-03
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Privilege Escalation vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) before 16.0.R26 allows local users to delete files the user would otherwise not have access to via manipulating symbolic links to redirect a McAfee delete action to an unintended file. This is achieved through running a malicious script or program on the target machine.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-7282?: Privilege Escalation vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) before 16.0.R26 allows local users to delete files the user would otherwise not have access to via manipulating symbolic links to redirect a McAfee delete action to an unintended file. This is achieved through running a malicious script or program on the target machine.
How severe is CVE-2020-7282?: CVE-2020-7282 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-7282 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (22nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-7282?: CVE-2020-7282 affects Mcafee Total Protection. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-7282?: 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-2020-7282 published?: CVE-2020-7282 was published on 2020-07-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://service.mcafee.com/webcenter/portal/cp/home/articleview?articleId=TS103062

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:total_protection:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Mcafee Total Protection

CVE-2021-23874 — High (CVSS 8.2): Arbitrary Process Execution vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) prior to 16.0.30 allows a local user to gain…
CVE-2022-43751 — High (CVSS 7.8): McAfee Total Protection prior to version 16.0.49 contains an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability due to the…
CVE-2021-23891 — High (CVSS 7.8): Privilege Escalation vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) prior to 16.0.32 allows a local user to gain…
CVE-2021-23872 — High (CVSS 7.8): Privilege Escalation vulnerability in the File Lock component of McAfee Total Protection (MTP) prior to 16.0.32 allows…
CVE-2021-23876 — High (CVSS 7.8): Bypass Remote Procedure call in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) prior to 16.0.30 allows a local user to gain elevated…
CVE-2021-23873 — High (CVSS 7.8): Privilege Escalation vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) prior to 16.0.30 allows a local user to gain…

All CVEs affecting Mcafee Total Protection →

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 →