7.8

CVE-2020-0787: Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) Improper Privilege Management Vulnerability

CVSS: 7.8v3.1HighKEVRansomwareAnalyzed
Published 12-03-2020Last modified 12-08-2026
Open JSON

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2020-0787 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Link Following vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. It is known to be exploited: CISA and ENISA list it, first on 28-01-2022. It has been used in ransomware campaigns. EPSS estimates a 42.52% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 98.6% of scored vulnerabilities. 2 public exploits are recorded.

Overall risk
90/100
0100
Critical · default modelHow is this calculated?
CVSS score
7.8/10
010
High · v3.1 (CVE.org)
EPSS score
42.52%
0%100%
High · 0.00 pp in 30 days
KEVListedCISA · ENISA
RansomwareKnown useFlagged by CISA, ENISA
Public exploits2reference, metasploit

Timeline

  1. 12-03-2020
    PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
  2. 28-01-2022
    Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) Improper Privilege Management Vulnerability
  3. 28-07-2022
    CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
  4. 23-01-2025
    Added to ENISA KEVAdded to the ENISA known exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
  5. 12-08-2026
    Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) improperly handles symbolic links, aka 'Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.

CVSS metrics

3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions

EPSS trend

Probability

42.52%

Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days

Percentile

99%

Versus all other CVEs

30-day change

0.00 pp

From 42.52% on 19-09-2026

19-09-202619-10-2026
EPSS score
42.52%

Known exploited

Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVListed
Added
28-01-2022
Federal due date
28-07-2022
Ransomware
ENISA CNWListed
Added
23-01-2025
Ransomware

CISA required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions. nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-0787

Public exploits

2 found
  • referenceUnverified

    Exploit Reference (packetstormsecurity.com)

    Maturity: unknown

  • MetasploitMetasploitremoteVerified

    Background Intelligent Transfer Service Arbitrary File Move Privilege Elevation Vulnerability

    exploit/windows/local/cve_2020_0787_bits_arbitrary_file_move

    Maturity: weaponized

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

3 links