Used in attacks· fix by 2022-07-287.8HighUsed by ransomware gangs
Microsoft Windows
CVE-2020-0787
Microsoft Windows BITS is vulnerable to to a privilege elevation vulnerability if it improperly handles symbolic links. An actor can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges.
What this means for your business
- It affects Microsoft Windows. It matters if your company, or a supplier that handles your data, runs it.
- Attackers are already using it. CISA added it to its list of flaws used in real attacks on 28 January 2022.
- Ransomware gangs are known to have used it.
- An attacker can use it only with access to the machine itself, without a login, but only after tricking someone into an action such as opening a file or a link.
- FIRST's prediction model gives it a 43% chance of attack attempts being seen in the next 30 days, ranking above 98% of all known flaws.
What to do
- 1Check whether your company or your suppliers run Microsoft Windows, and which version. The affected versions are listed further down this page.
- 2If you do, apply the vendor's fix. A patch or vendor advisory has been published.
- 3Treat it as urgent. US federal agencies must fix it by 28 July 2022. That deadline does not apply to private companies, but it shows how seriously CISA takes it.
- 4Because attackers have used it, check the affected systems for signs of a break-in, not only for the update.
Not sure if your company is exposed?
Fastnexa’s certified penetration testers can check whether attackers could use this flaw, or others like it, against your websites, apps and network. The full test is free for our first 10 founding clients until 31 December 2026.
Required action
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
CISA’s wording, unedited.
Scoring
- CVSS
- 7.8 (v3.1)
- Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness
- CWE-59
- Assigned by
- secure@microsoft.com
Dates
- Published
- 2022-01-28
- Last modified
- 2026-08-12
- Added to KEV
- 2022-01-28
- Remediation due
- 2022-07-28
- Sources
- CISA KEV, NVD
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
As listed in the NVD configuration data. Not a statement about your estate.