# CVE-2020-0796: Microsoft SMBv3 Remote Code Execution

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via crafted SMBv3 requests, affecting Windows 10 and Server systems.

- **Severity:** Critical 10.0 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 10 Feb 2022 (CISA KEV), used in ransomware
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 12 Mar 2020
- **Updated:** 1 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-vh23-87v3-h8c6

## What is CVE-2020-0796?

CVE-2020-0796 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems, published on 12 Mar 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Microsoft Server Message Block 3.1.1 (SMBv3) protocol handles certain requests, aka 'Windows SMBv3 Client/Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.

Weakness: CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-0796?

It affects 4 products.


Products: Microsoft Windows 10 1903, Microsoft Windows 10 1909, Microsoft Windows Server 1903, Microsoft Windows Server 1909.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-0796?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-0796 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 10 Aug 2022.

## Is CVE-2020-0796 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2020-0796 in the wild since at least 10 Feb 2022, including in ransomware campaigns.

Public exploit code:

- CVE-2020-0796 - Windows SMBv3 LPE exploit #SMBGhost (github_poc): https://github.com/danigargu/CVE-2020-0796
- Scanner for CVE-2020-0796 - SMBv3 RCE (github_poc): https://github.com/ly4k/SMBGhost
- CVE-2020-0796 Remote Code Execution POC (github_poc): https://github.com/jamf/CVE-2020-0796-RCE-POC
- SMBGhost (CVE-2020-0796) Automate Exploitation and Detection (github_poc): https://github.com/Barriuso/SMBGhost_AutomateExploitation
- PoC for triggering buffer overflow via CVE-2020-0796 (github_poc): https://github.com/eerykitty/CVE-2020-0796-PoC
- CVE-2020-0796 Local Privilege Escalation POC (github_poc): https://github.com/jamf/CVE-2020-0796-LPE-POC

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-0796 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-0796 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems, published on 12 Mar 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2020-0796 in the wild since at least 10 Feb 2022, including in ransomware campaigns.

Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-0796/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-0796/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-0796
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-0796
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-0796

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-0796/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.