7.8
Advisory Published
Updated

CVE-2020-16974: Windows Backup Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

First published: Fri Oct 16 2020(Updated: )

<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Backup Service improperly handles file operations.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to gain execution on the victim system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application to elevate privileges.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Backup Service handles file operations.</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 Server=r2-sp1
Microsoft Windows Server 2016
Microsoft Windows Server 2016=1903
Microsoft Windows Server 2016=1909
Microsoft Windows Server 2016=2004
Microsoft Windows Server 2019

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the severity of CVE-2020-16974?

    CVE-2020-16974 has a severity rating of Important, indicating that it poses a significant security risk.

  • How do I fix CVE-2020-16974?

    To fix CVE-2020-16974, it is recommended to apply the latest security updates provided by Microsoft for affected versions of Windows.

  • Which systems are affected by CVE-2020-16974?

    CVE-2020-16974 affects multiple versions of Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 7, and Windows Server, specifically various versions including 1607, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, and others.

  • Can CVE-2020-16974 allow attackers to gain unauthorized access?

    Yes, CVE-2020-16974 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability that can allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to system resources.

  • What type of attack exploits CVE-2020-16974?

    CVE-2020-16974 can be exploited through the execution of a specially crafted application on a vulnerable Windows system.

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