7.8
HIGH
CVSS 3.1
CVE-2020-16902
Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Overview
Description
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Windows Installer when the Windows Installer fails to properly sanitize input leading to an insecure library loading behavior.</p> <p>A locally authenticated attacker could run arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the input sanitization error to preclude unintended elevation.</p>
Details
INFO
Published Date :
Oct. 16, 2020, 11:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
June 17, 2026, 2:58 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
Impact
Affected Products
The following products are affected by CVE-2020-16902
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.
Scoring
CVSS Scores
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System is a standardized framework
for assessing the severity of vulnerabilities in software and systems.
We collect and displays CVSS scores from various sources for each CVE.
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 2.0 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
This vulnerability can be remediated by applying the appropriate Windows update.
- Apply the appropriate cumulative or security update to address the vulnerability.
- Reboot the affected system if required by the update.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2020-16902 has a 2 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References
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-2020-16902.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16902 | Patch Vendor Advisory |
| https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16902 | Patch Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2020-16902 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-2020-16902
weaknesses.
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).
火绒病毒库更新日志
antivirus huorong malware-analysis reverse-engineering security security-tools
Python
Updated: 3 months, 2 weeks ago
2 stars
0 fork
0 watcher
Born at : Jan. 4, 2026, 4:28 a.m.
This repo has been linked 24 different CVEs too.
2020年发布到阿尔法实验室微信公众号的所有安全资讯汇总
Updated: 1 year, 2 months ago
41 stars
15 fork
15 watcher
Born at : Jan. 11, 2021, 2:08 a.m.
This repo has been linked 190 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-2020-16902 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2020-16902 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.
-
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Jun. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*', 'cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1803:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*', 'cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1803:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 10 Version 1803', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['32-bit Systems', 'x64-based Systems', 'ARM64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*', 'cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*', 'cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 10 Version 1809', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['32-bit Systems', 'x64-based Systems', 'ARM64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2019', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*', 'cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*', 'cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 10 Version 1909', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['32-bit Systems', 'x64-based Systems', 'ARM64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server, version 1909 (Server Core installation)', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1709:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 10 Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['32-bit Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1709:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 10 Version 1709', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems', 'ARM64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['Unknown']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['Unknown']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systems', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['Unknown']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation)', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 10 Version 2004', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['32-bit Systems', 'ARM64-based Systems', 'x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server version 2004', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1507:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*', 'cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1507:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 10 Version 1507', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['32-bit Systems', 'x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*', 'cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 10 Version 1607', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['32-bit Systems', 'x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2016', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '10.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:x86:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 7', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.1.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['32-bit Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 7 Service Pack 1', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.1.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*', 'cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*', 'cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows 8.1', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.3.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['32-bit Systems', 'x64-based Systems', 'ARM64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008_sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['32-bit Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008_sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*', 'cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008_sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['32-bit Systems', 'x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008_sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008_R2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.1.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008_R2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.0.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2012', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.2.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.2.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012_R2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2012 R2', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.3.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}, {'cpes': ['cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012_R2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*'], 'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.3.0', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['x64-based Systems']}] -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Feb. 23, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed Description <p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Windows Installer when the Windows Installer fails to properly sanitize input leading to an insecure library loading behavior.</p> <p>A locally authenticated attacker could run arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the input sanitization error to preclude unintended elevation.</p> <p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Windows Installer when the Windows Installer fails to properly sanitize input leading to an insecure library loading behavior.</p> <p>A locally authenticated attacker could run arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the input sanitization error to preclude unintended elevation.</p> -
CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Nov. 21, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16902 -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
May. 14, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Dec. 31, 2023
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed Description An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Windows Installer when the Windows Installer fails to properly sanitize input leading to an insecure library loading behavior.A locally authenticated attacker could run arbitrary code with elevated system privileges, aka 'Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. <p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Windows Installer when the Windows Installer fails to properly sanitize input leading to an insecure library loading behavior.</p> <p>A locally authenticated attacker could run arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the input sanitization error to preclude unintended elevation.</p> Added CVSS V3.1 Microsoft Corporation AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H -
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Oct. 27, 2020
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V2 NIST (AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C) Added CVSS V3.1 NIST AV:L/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-2020-16902 No Types Assigned https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16902 Patch, Vendor Advisory Added CWE NIST CWE-269 Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1709:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1803:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:-:*:-:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1903:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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.