Known Exploited Vulnerability
8.8
HIGH
CVE-2020-0688
Microsoft Exchange Server Validation Key Remote Co - [Actively Exploited]
Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Exchange software when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Microsoft Exchange Memory Corruption Vulnerability'.

INFO

Published Date :

Feb. 11, 2020, 10:15 p.m.

Last Modified :

April 4, 2025, 7:31 p.m.

Source :

[email protected]

Remotely Exploitable :

Yes !

Impact Score :

5.9

Exploitability Score :

2.8
CISA Notification
CISA KEV (Known Exploited Vulnerabilities)

For the benefit of the cybersecurity community and network defenders—and to help every organization better manage vulnerabilities and keep pace with threat activity—CISA maintains the authoritative source of vulnerabilities that have been exploited in the wild.

Description :

Microsoft Exchange Server Validation Key fails to properly create unique keys at install time, allowing for remote code execution.

Required Action :

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Notes :

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-0688

Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github

CVE-2020-0688 has a 160 public PoC/Exploit available at Github. Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.

Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2020-0688 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

ID Vendor Product Action
1 Microsoft exchange_server
: Total Affected Vendor : 1 | Products : 1
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to CVE-2020-0688.

URL Resource
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156592/Microsoft-Exchange-2019-15.2.221.12-Remote-Code-Execution.html Exploit Third Party Advisory VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156620/Exchange-Control-Panel-Viewstate-Deserialization.html Exploit Third Party Advisory VDB Entry
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0688 Patch Vendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-258/ Third Party Advisory VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156592/Microsoft-Exchange-2019-15.2.221.12-Remote-Code-Execution.html Exploit Third Party Advisory VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156620/Exchange-Control-Panel-Viewstate-Deserialization.html Exploit Third Party Advisory VDB Entry
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0688 Patch Vendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-258/ Third Party Advisory VDB Entry

We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).

Profile Photo
whoami-chmod777/SMBMap

None

Python Roff PowerShell

Updated: 1 week ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : July 16, 2025, 1:58 p.m. This repo has been linked 1 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
undefined-name12/Cheat-Sheet-Active-Directory

Una hoja de trucos que contiene métodos comunes de enumeración y ataque para Windows Active Directory.

Updated: 2 months ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : May 19, 2025, 10:16 p.m. This repo has been linked 10 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
ViniciusClement/OSCP_2025

None

Shell Batchfile Python

Updated: 1 day, 12 hours ago
3 stars 1 fork 1 watcher
Born at : May 19, 2025, 2:27 p.m. This repo has been linked 10 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
snakesec/smbmap

SMB Mapper for ANDRAX-NG

Shell Python Roff PowerShell

Updated: 2 months, 1 week ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : May 10, 2025, 12:27 a.m. This repo has been linked 1 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
W01fh4cker/CVE-2025-30406

Exploit for CVE-2025-30406

C#

Updated: 2 weeks, 2 days ago
10 stars 2 fork 2 watcher
Born at : April 24, 2025, 7:55 a.m. This repo has been linked 2 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
itwm/Active-Directory-Exploitation-Cheat-Sheet

None

Updated: 3 months, 3 weeks ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : March 28, 2025, 5:13 p.m. This repo has been linked 1 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
S3cur3Th1sSh1t/My-starred-Repositories

This is my starred repositories including the description for each tool. Makes search/filter over them easier.

Updated: 5 days, 15 hours ago
51 stars 6 fork 6 watcher
Born at : Feb. 26, 2025, 11:57 a.m. This repo has been linked 91 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
secret-arrow/ysoserial.net

None

C#

Updated: 7 months, 3 weeks ago
1 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Nov. 29, 2024, 3:14 p.m. This repo has been linked 17 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
Coldplay1517/Middleware-Vulnerability-detection-master

中间件的exp

Updated: 2 months ago
3 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Oct. 15, 2024, 8:49 a.m. This repo has been linked 58 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
getanehAl/Windows-Penetration-Testing

None

PowerShell C#

Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago
2 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Oct. 11, 2024, 6:07 a.m. This repo has been linked 28 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
nholuongut/active-directory-exploitation-cheat-sheet

This cheat sheet contains common enumeration and attack methods for Windows Active Directory.

Updated: 2 months, 2 weeks ago
4 stars 1 fork 1 watcher
Born at : Oct. 4, 2024, 3:45 a.m. This repo has been linked 10 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
sherehiyandriy/CSharp-Example

None

C#

Updated: 1 month, 4 weeks ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Oct. 3, 2024, 11:52 p.m. This repo has been linked 1 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
byt3n33dl3/CrypeAlbatros

CrypeAlbatros is a handy Offensive tool to Scan Microsoft Windows over the Samba protocol.

exploit mapping microsoft post-exploitation relay samba smb windows

Python Roff PowerShell C C# PHP Ruby

Updated: 7 months, 2 weeks ago
11 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Sept. 18, 2024, 3:18 p.m. This repo has been linked 1 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
ViniciusClement/Offensive-Security

None

Shell Batchfile Python

Updated: 2 months, 2 weeks ago
1 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Sept. 17, 2024, 2:19 a.m. This repo has been linked 10 different CVEs too.
Profile Photo
Deep-Bagchi/ysoserial.net

None

C#

Updated: 10 months, 2 weeks ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Sept. 3, 2024, 7:41 p.m. This repo has been linked 17 different CVEs too.

Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.

The following list is the news that have been mention CVE-2020-0688 vulnerability anywhere in the article.

  • Hackread - Latest Cybersecurity, Hacking News, Tech, AI & Crypto
New GhostContainer Malware Hits High-Value MS Exchange Servers in Asia

Cybersecurity researchers at Kaspersky’s research unit SecureList have revealed a new and highly customized malware, dubbed GhostContainer. This sophisticated backdoor has been found actively targetin ... Read more

Published Date: Jul 21, 2025 (2 days, 4 hours ago)
CVE-2020-0688
  • security.nl
Kaspersky ontdekt geavanceerde backdoor in Exchange-systemen

Het "GReAT" (Global Research & Analysis Team) securityteam van Kaspersky heeft een geavanceerde multifunctionele backdoor, genaamd "GhostContainer" ontdekt. Het gaat om op maat gemaakte malware, die s ... Read more

Published Date: Jul 18, 2025 (5 days, 3 hours ago)
CVE-2020-0688
  • Daily CyberSecurity
GhostContainer: Kaspersky Uncovers Stealthy Backdoor Infiltrating Government & High-Tech Exchange Servers

In a recent incident response operation, Kaspersky Labs uncovered a highly sophisticated backdoor named GhostContainer, designed to infiltrate Microsoft Exchange infrastructure within government and h ... Read more

Published Date: Jul 18, 2025 (5 days, 14 hours ago)
CVE-2025-34300 CVE-2020-0688
  • The Hacker News
Hackers Exploit Apache HTTP Server Flaw to Deploy Linuxsys Cryptocurrency Miner

Jul 17, 2025Ravie LakshmananCryptocurrency / Vulnerability Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a new campaign that exploits a known security flaw impacting Apache HTTP Server to deliver a cryp ... Read more

Published Date: Jul 17, 2025 (6 days ago)
CVE-2025-3648 CVE-2025-6554 CVE-2024-9474 CVE-2024-0012 CVE-2024-36401 CVE-2024-2012 CVE-2023-22527 CVE-2023-34960 CVE-2023-38646 CVE-2021-41773 ...+1 more CVE
  • CybersecurityNews
GhostContainer Malware Hacking Exchange Servers in the Wild Using N-day Vulnerability

A highly sophisticated malware campaign targeting Microsoft Exchange servers in government and high-tech organizations across Asia. The malware, dubbed GhostContainer, exploits known N-day vulnerabili ... Read more

Published Date: Jul 17, 2025 (6 days, 3 hours ago)
CVE-2020-0688
  • Kaspersky
GhostContainer backdoor: malware compromising Exchange servers of high-value organizations in Asia

In a recent incident response (IR) case, we discovered highly customized malware targeting Exchange infrastructure within government environments. Analysis of detection logs and clues within the sampl ... Read more

Published Date: Jul 17, 2025 (6 days, 7 hours ago)
CVE-2020-0688
  • The Hacker News
Microsoft Identifies 3,000 Leaked ASP.NET Keys Enabling Code Injection Attacks

Cloud Security / Web Security Microsoft is warning of an insecure practice wherein software developers are incorporating publicly disclosed ASP.NET machine keys from publicly accessible resources, the ... Read more

Published Date: Feb 07, 2025 (5 months, 2 weeks ago)
CVE-2020-0688
  • blogspot.com
If You Can't Patch Your Email Server, You Should Not Be Running It

CVE-2020-0688 Scan Results, per Rapid7 tl;dr -- it's the title of the post: "If You Can't Patch Your Email Server, You Should Not Be Running It." I read a disturbing story today with the following new ... Read more

Published Date: Apr 07, 2020 (5 years, 3 months ago)
CVE-2020-0688

The following table lists the changes that have been made to the CVE-2020-0688 vulnerability over time.

Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.

  • Modified Analysis by [email protected]

    Apr. 04, 2025

    Action Type Old Value New Value
  • CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0

    Feb. 04, 2025

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
    Added CWE CWE-287
  • CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108

    Nov. 21, 2024

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Reference http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156592/Microsoft-Exchange-2019-15.2.221.12-Remote-Code-Execution.html
    Added Reference http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156620/Exchange-Control-Panel-Viewstate-Deserialization.html
    Added Reference https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0688
    Added Reference https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-258/
  • CVE Modified by [email protected]

    May. 14, 2024

    Action Type Old Value New Value
  • Reanalysis by [email protected]

    Feb. 13, 2024

    Action Type Old Value New Value
  • CWE Remap by [email protected]

    Jul. 12, 2022

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Changed CWE CWE-798 CWE-287
  • Modified Analysis by [email protected]

    Dec. 30, 2021

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Changed Reference Type http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156592/Microsoft-Exchange-2019-15.2.221.12-Remote-Code-Execution.html No Types Assigned http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156592/Microsoft-Exchange-2019-15.2.221.12-Remote-Code-Execution.html Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
    Changed Reference Type http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156620/Exchange-Control-Panel-Viewstate-Deserialization.html No Types Assigned http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156620/Exchange-Control-Panel-Viewstate-Deserialization.html Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
    Changed Reference Type https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-258/ No Types Assigned https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-258/ Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
  • CWE Remap by [email protected]

    Jul. 21, 2021

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Changed CWE CWE-502 CWE-798
  • CVE Modified by [email protected]

    Mar. 04, 2020

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Reference http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156620/Exchange-Control-Panel-Viewstate-Deserialization.html [No Types Assigned]
  • CVE Modified by [email protected]

    Mar. 02, 2020

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Reference http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156592/Microsoft-Exchange-2019-15.2.221.12-Remote-Code-Execution.html [No Types Assigned]
  • CVE Modified by [email protected]

    Feb. 20, 2020

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Reference https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-258/ [No Types Assigned]
  • Initial Analysis by [email protected]

    Feb. 13, 2020

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added CVSS V2 NIST (AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C)
    Added CVSS V3.1 NIST AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
    Changed Reference Type https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0688 No Types Assigned https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0688 Patch, Vendor Advisory
    Added CWE NIST CWE-502
    Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:exchange_server:2010:sp3_rollup_30:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:exchange_server:2013:cumulative_update_23:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:exchange_server:2016:cumulative_update_14:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:exchange_server:2016:cumulative_update_15:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:exchange_server:2019:cumulative_update_3:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:exchange_server:2019:cumulative_update_4:*:*:*:*:*:*
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2020-0688 is associated with the following CWEs:

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC) stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2020-0688 weaknesses.

Exploit Prediction

EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days.

94.42 }} -0.04%

score

0.99976

percentile

CVSS31 - Vulnerability Scoring System
Attack Vector
Attack Complexity
Privileges Required
User Interaction
Scope
Confidentiality
Integrity
Availability
:
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Latest DB Update: Jul. 23, 2025 15:08