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CVE-2020-16940

Windows - User Profile Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

HIGH
7.8
CVSS Score
Published: October 16, 2020 at 10:17 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 02:58 AM UTC
19 products affected across 1 vendorWindows Server 2016Windows Server 2019Windows Server 2012

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Severity
HIGH7.8
Exploit prediction
EPSS 2%

Description

<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows User Profile Service (ProfSvc) improperly handles junction points. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could delete files and folders in an elevated context.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerability and delete files or folders of their choosing.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows User Profile Service handles junction points.</p>

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

Windows 10· Microsoft
95%
1607170918031809190319092004
Windows 7· Microsoft
95%
6.1.0 ≤ v < publication6.1.0sp1
Affected range stops below publication, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Windows 8-1· Microsoft
95%
6.3.0 ≤ v < publication6.3.0
Affected range stops below publication, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Windows Rt 8-1· Microsoft
95%
All versions
Windows Server 2008· Microsoft
95%
6.0.0 ≤ v < publication6.1.0 ≤ v < publication6.0.06.1.0r2 sp1sp2
Affected range stops below publication, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Windows Server 2012· Microsoft
95%
6.2.0 ≤ v < publication6.3.0 ≤ v < publication6.2.06.3.0r2
Affected range stops below publication, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Windows Server 2016· Microsoft
95%
10.0.0 ≤ v < publication10.0.0190319092004
Affected range stops below publication, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Windows Server 2019· Microsoft
95%
10.0.0 ≤ v < publication10.0.0
Affected range stops below publication, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Windows 10 1507· Microsoft
60%
10.0.0 ≤ v < publication10.0.0
Affected range stops below publication, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Windows 10 1607· Microsoft
60%
10.0.0 ≤ v < publication10.0.0
Affected range stops below publication, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

Patch and advisory references

References (2)

x_refsource_MISCPatchVendor Advisory
Source: [email protected]
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16940
x_refsource_MISCThird Party Advisory
Source: [email protected]
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1248/

CVSS

7.8HIGHmicrosoft
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-269

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