CVE-2020-0787
KEVRansomware UseMicrosoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) Improper Privilege Management Vulnerability
Description
Microsoft Windows BITS is vulnerable to to a privilege elevation vulnerability if it improperly handles symbolic links. An actor can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges.
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'.
CVSS 3.1 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HPublishedMar 12, 2020
Last modifiedAug 12, 2026
Added to KEVJan 28, 2022
Remediation dueJul 28, 2022
References
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/158056/Background-Intelligent-Transfer-Service-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
- portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0787PatchVendor Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-0787US Government Resource
0 recent articles mention this CVE
83
Risk assessment · Critical
Actively exploited and used by ransomware crews. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1552 days
- Ransomware
- Used in known ransomware campaigns
- CVSS
- 7.8 HIGH
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 42.5% · top 1% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- CWE-59
Recommended actions
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
- 4.Verify offline/immutable backups and segment the affected systems. This flaw is used for ransomware initial access.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.