7.8

CVE-2020-0683: Microsoft Windows Installer Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVSS: 7.8v3.1HighKEVAnalyzed
Published 11-02-2020Last modified 21-10-2025
Open JSON

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2020-0683 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Link Following vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 03-11-2021. EPSS estimates a 7.61% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 94.4% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Overall risk
85/100
0100
Critical · default modelHow is this calculated?
CVSS score
7.8/10
010
High · v3.1 (CVE.org)
EPSS score
7.61%
0%100%
Low · 0.00 pp in 30 days
KEVListedCISA
RansomwareNone recordedNo known use recorded
Public exploits1exploit-database

Timeline

  1. 11-02-2020
    PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
  2. 03-11-2021
    Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft Windows Installer Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
  3. 03-05-2022
    CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
  4. 21-10-2025
    Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

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 metrics

3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions

EPSS trend

Probability

7.61%

Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days

Percentile

94%

Versus all other CVEs

30-day change

0.00 pp

From 7.61% on 19-09-2026

19-09-202619-10-2026
EPSS score
7.61%

Known exploited

Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVListed
Added
03-11-2021
Federal due date
03-05-2022

CISA required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions. nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-0683

Public exploits

1 found
  • exploit-databaselocalwindowsUnverified

    MSI Packages Symbolic Links Processing - Windows 10 Privilege Escalation

    Maturity: poc

Weaknesses

CWE · root cause

Affected systems

Microsoft27 products
  • windowsEOL10 Version 1803 for 32-bit Systems | 10 Version 1803 for x64-based Systems | 10 Version 1803 for ARM64-based Systems | 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems | 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems | 10 Version 1809 for ARM64-based Systems | 10 Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems | 10 Version 1709 for x64-based Systems | 10 Version 1709 for ARM64-based Systems | 10 for 32-bit Systems | 10 for x64-based Systems | 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems | 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems | 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 | 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 | 8.1 for 32-bit systems | 8.1 for x64-based systems | RT 8.1
  • windows_10_1507na
  • windows_10_1607na
  • windows_10_1709na
  • windows_10_1803na

1 vendor · 27 products

References

2 links