CVE-2020-16908

HighCVSS 7.8/10Last modified Jun 17, 2026

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows Setup in the way it handles directories. A locally authenticated attacker could run arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. After successfully exploiting the vulnerability, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. The security update addresses the vulnerability by ensuring Windows Setup properly handles directories.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1 7.8/10CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Microsoft	Windows 10 Version 1803	N/A
Microsoft	Windows 10 Version 1809	N/A
Microsoft	Windows 10 Version 1909	N/A
Microsoft	Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems	N/A
Microsoft	Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems	N/A
Microsoft	Windows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systems	N/A
Microsoft	Windows 10 Version 2004	N/A

References

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16908Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16908Patch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 16, 2020
Last modified: Jun 17, 2026
NVD status: Modified

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