7.8

CVE-2020-0986: Microsoft Windows Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVSS: 7.8v3.1HighKEVAnalyzed
Published 09-06-2020Last modified 21-10-2025
Open JSON

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2020-0986 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 03-11-2021. EPSS estimates a 16.41% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 96.9% of scored vulnerabilities.

Overall risk
85/100
0100
Critical · default modelHow is this calculated?
CVSS score
7.8/10
010
High · v3.1 (CVE.org)
EPSS score
16.41%
0%100%
Medium · +0.47 pp in 30 days
KEVListedCISA
RansomwareNone recordedNo known use recorded
Public exploits0No public exploits recorded

Timeline

  1. 09-06-2020
    PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
  2. 03-11-2021
    Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft Windows Kernel 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 when the Windows kernel fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1237, CVE-2020-1246, CVE-2020-1262, CVE-2020-1264, CVE-2020-1266, CVE-2020-1269, CVE-2020-1273, CVE-2020-1274, CVE-2020-1275, CVE-2020-1276, CVE-2020-1307, CVE-2020-1316.

CVSS metrics

3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions

EPSS trend

Probability

16.41%

Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days

Percentile

97%

Versus all other CVEs

30-day change

+0.47 pp

From 15.93% on 19-09-2026

19-09-202619-10-2026
EPSS score
16.41%

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-2020-0986

Public exploits

0 found

No public exploits indexed.

Weaknesses

CWE · root cause

Affected systems

Microsoft31 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 | 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 · 31 products

References

3 links