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CVE-2020-0683

Microsoft Windows Installer Privilege Escalation

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)EPSS 7.61%
  1. Published11 Feb 2020
  2. Added to CISA KEV3 Nov 2021
  3. Remediation due3 May 2022
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

Microsoft Windows Installer contains a privilege escalation vulnerability when MSI packages process symbolic links, which allows attackers to bypass access restrictions to add or remove files.

Added to KEV: 3 Nov 2021Federal remediation due: 3 May 2022

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Windows Installer when MSI packages process symbolic links, aka 'Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-0686.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredLow
User interactionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Microsoft Windows 10 1507all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1607all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1709all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1803all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1809all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1903all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1909all versions
Microsoft Windows 7all versions
Microsoft Windows 8.1all versions
Microsoft Windows Rt 8.1all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 1803all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 1903all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 1909all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2008r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2012r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2016all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2019all versions

Remediation

No fixed version is recorded in the NVD data. Check the vendor advisory for the latest guidance.

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2020-0683 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2020-0683 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 3 Nov 2021.

How severe is CVE-2020-0683?

CVE-2020-0683 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 7.61% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2020-0683?

Affected products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1709, Microsoft Windows 10 1803, Microsoft Windows 10 1809, and 12 more.

How do I fix CVE-2020-0683?

Apply the vendor's patch or advisory guidance, then verify no affected versions remain across your devices.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2020-0683 against the real software inventory on every managed device, as each hourly inventory arrives. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, a risk for it never ranks below high, and the update that fixes it moves to the Emergency patch lane. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.