CVE-2020-16908
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows Setup in the way it handles directories.</p> <p>A locally authenticated attacker could run arbitrary code with elevated system privileges.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.95%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows Setup in the way it handles directories.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by ensuring Windows Setup properly handles directories.</p>
- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 0.95% probability · 61th percentile
- Public exploits
- None in Exploit-DB
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Affected
- microsoft/windows 10
- Source
- secure@microsoft.com
EPSS 1.0% since 26 October 2026; no change recorded yet. Points are recorded when the score first appears and whenever it moves by a percentage point or more.
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
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA, exploits from Exploit-DB. Refreshed daily. Download this record as JSON.