CVE-2020-0787
HighExploitedPublic exploitAn 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'.
Published Mar 12, 2020 · Updated Aug 12, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2020-0787 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Windows 10 1507 (Microsoft), Windows 10 1607 (Microsoft), Windows 10 1709 (Microsoft) and 22 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Feb 25, 2021 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 43% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
43%
Higher than 98.6% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings, used by ransomware
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2020-0787 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
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'.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Jan 28, 2022 | Jul 28, 2022 | Known |
| Industry KEV feed | Feb 25, 2021 | Jul 28, 2022 | Known |
| CIRCL KEV | Jan 28, 2022 | Jul 28, 2022 | Known |
| ENISA EUVD | Jan 28, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
29 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 1507Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 10 1607Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 10 1709Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 10 1803Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 10 1809Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Mar 12, 2020
Added to Industry KEV feed
Feb 25, 2021
Added to CISA KEV
Jan 28, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Jan 28, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Jan 28, 2022
Last updated
Aug 12, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-59 Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
References
- patchhttps://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0787
- exploithttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158056/Background-Intelligent-Transfer-Service-Privilege-Escalation.html
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploitMSF cve_2020_0787_bits_arbitrary_file_move.rb
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
FAQ
Common Questions.
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'.
Affected: Windows 10 1507 (Microsoft); Windows 10 1607 (Microsoft); Windows 10 1709 (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Feb 25, 2021 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Jan 28, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Jul 28, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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