HIGH · 7.0

CVE-2020-16933

<p>A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could use a specially...

Vulnerability Description

<p>A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could use a specially crafted file to perform actions in the security context of the current user. For example, the file could then take actions on behalf of the logged-on user with the same permissions as the current user.</p> <p>To exploit the vulnerability, a user must open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Word software. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending the specially crafted file to the user and convincing the user to open the file. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website (or leverage a compromised website that accepts or hosts user-provided content) that contains a specially crafted file that is designed to exploit the vulnerability. However, an attacker would have no way to force the user to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince the user to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince the user to open the specially crafted file.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Word handles these files.</p>

CVSS Score

7.0

HIGH

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Attack Complexity
HIGH
Privileges Required
NONE
User Interaction
REQUIRED
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH

Affected Products

VendorProductVersions
MicrosoftWindows 10-
MicrosoftWindows 7-
MicrosoftWindows 8.1-
MicrosoftWindows Rt 8.1-
MicrosoftWindows Server 2008-
MicrosoftWindows Server 2012-
MicrosoftWindows Server 2016-
MicrosoftWindows Server 2019-
Microsoft365 Apps-
MicrosoftOffice2016
MicrosoftWord2010

References

FAQ

What is CVE-2020-16933?

CVE-2020-16933 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.0 (HIGH). <p>A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could use a specially...

How severe is CVE-2020-16933?

CVE-2020-16933 has been rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.0/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.

Is there a patch for CVE-2020-16933?

Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Affected products include: Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows Rt 8.1, Microsoft Windows Server 2008.