CVE-2020-0787 Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) Improper Privilege Management
An attacker can exploit improper symbolic link handling in Windows BITS to elevate privileges on affected systems.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 28 Jan 2022
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2020-0787?
CVE-2020-0787 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507, published on 12 Mar 2020. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) improperly handles symbolic links, aka 'Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.
Weakness: CWE-59
Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-0787?
It affects 17 products.
Products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1709, Microsoft Windows 10 1803, Microsoft Windows 10 1809, Microsoft Windows 10 1903 and 11 more.
How do I fix CVE-2020-0787?
No fix has been published for CVE-2020-0787 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 28 Jul 2022.
Is CVE-2020-0787 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2020-0787 in the wild since at least 28 Jan 2022, including in ransomware campaigns.
Public exploit code: 1 Metasploit module and 2 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10 1507
- CVE-2017-8543 Microsoft Windows Search Remote Code Execution
- CVE-2025-33053 Microsoft Windows External Control of File Name or Path
- CVE-2025-33073 Microsoft Windows SMB Client Improper Access Control
- CVE-2024-49039 Microsoft Windows Task Scheduler Privilege Escalation
- CVE-2024-43461 Microsoft Windows MSHTML Platform Spoofing
Sources
Also known as GHSA-2ffp-p9mj-92cf.