CVE-2020-16933: microsoft 365_apps
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2020-16933 is a high (CVSS 7.0) vulnerability in microsoft 365_apps. EPSS estimates a 2.74% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 85.9% of scored vulnerabilities.
Timeline
- 16-10-2020PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 15-11-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
<p>A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could use a specially crafted file to perform actions in the security context of the current user. For example, the file could then take actions on behalf of the logged-on user with the same permissions as the current user.</p> <p>To exploit the vulnerability, a user must open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Word software. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending the specially crafted file to the user and convincing the user to open the file. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website (or leverage a compromised website that accepts or hosts user-provided content) that contains a specially crafted file that is designed to exploit the vulnerability. However, an attacker would have no way to force the user to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince the user to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince the user to open the specially crafted file.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Word handles these files.</p>
CVSS metrics
3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions- NVDNIST7.0HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
2.74%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
86%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
0.00 pp
From 2.74% on 19-09-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogsNot in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeNo weakness data has been published for this record.
Affected systems
Microsoft18 products
- 365_appsna
- microsoft 365 apps for enterprise≥ 16.0.1, < https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
- microsoft office 2016 for mac≥ 16.0.0, < publication
- microsoft office 2019≥ 19.0.0, < https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
- microsoft office 2019 for mac≥ 16.0.0, < publication
1 vendor · 18 products
References
1 links- portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16933X Refsource MISCPatchVendor Advisory