CVE-2020-16874: Visual Studio Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published Sep 11, 2020
·
Updated

<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio when it improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.</p> <p>To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would have to convince a user to open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Visual Studio.</p> <p>The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Visual Studio handles objects in memory.</p>

Other sources

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio when it improperly handles objects in memory, aka 'Visual Studio Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-16856.

Affected Software

6 affected components
Microsoft Visual Studio=2012-update_5
Microsoft Visual Studio=2013-update_5
Microsoft Visual Studio=2015-update_3
Microsoft Visual Studio 2017>=15.0<=15.8
Microsoft Visual Studio 2019>=16.0<=16.3
Microsoft Visual Studio 2019>=16.5<=16.6

Event History

Sep 11, 2020
CVE Published
05:08 PM
Data Sourced
05:08 PM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·05:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2020-16874?

CVE-2020-16874 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Visual Studio.

2

How does CVE-2020-16874 impact Visual Studio?

CVE-2020-16874 can allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable Visual Studio installation.

3

Which versions of Visual Studio are affected by CVE-2020-16874?

CVE-2020-16874 affects Microsoft Visual Studio 2012 Update 5, Microsoft Visual Studio 2013 Update 5, Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 Update 3, Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 (version 15.0 to 15.8), and Microsoft Visual Studio 2019 (version 16.0 to 16.3).

4

What is the severity of CVE-2020-16874?

CVE-2020-16874 has a severity rating of 7.8 (Critical).

5

How can I fix CVE-2020-16874 in Visual Studio?

To fix CVE-2020-16874, users should update their affected Visual Studio installations to the latest available version.

Contact

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