high
7.8
CWE
269
Advisory Published
Updated
Advisory Published

CVE-2020-16940: Microsoft Windows User Profile Service Arbitrary File Deletion Vulnerability

First published: Fri Oct 16 2020(Updated: )

<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows User Profile Service (ProfSvc) improperly handles junction points. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could delete files and folders in an elevated context.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerability and delete files or folders of their choosing.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows User Profile Service handles junction points.</p>

Credit: secure@microsoft.com

Affected SoftwareAffected VersionHow to fix
Windows 10
Windows 10=1607
Windows 10=1709
Windows 10=1803
Windows 10=1809
Windows 10=1903
Windows 10=1909
Windows 10=2004
Microsoft Windows 7=sp1
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows RT
Microsoft Windows Server=sp2
Microsoft Windows Server=r2-sp1
Microsoft Windows Server
Microsoft Windows Server=r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2016
Microsoft Windows Server 2016=1903
Microsoft Windows Server 2016=1909
Microsoft Windows Server 2016=2004
Microsoft Windows Server 2019
Microsoft Windows Operating System

Remedy

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16940

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Reference Links

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the severity of CVE-2020-16940?

    CVE-2020-16940 has a CVSS score that indicates a serious elevation of privilege vulnerability in Windows User Profile Service.

  • How do I fix CVE-2020-16940?

    To fix CVE-2020-16940, apply the latest Windows updates provided by Microsoft.

  • What versions of Windows are affected by CVE-2020-16940?

    CVE-2020-16940 affects multiple versions of Windows, including Windows 7, 8.1, 10, and various Windows Server releases.

  • What are the potential impacts of exploiting CVE-2020-16940?

    Exploiting CVE-2020-16940 could allow an attacker to delete files and folders with elevated privileges.

  • Who can exploit CVE-2020-16940, and how?

    An attacker with local access could exploit CVE-2020-16940 by improperly handling junction points to gain privilege escalation.

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