CVE-2020-1027
HighExploitedPublic exploitAn elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Kernel handles objects in memory, aka 'Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.
Published Apr 15, 2020 · Updated Oct 29, 2025
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2020-1027 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 Mar 23, 2020. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 4.5% 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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
4.5%
Higher than 91.4% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2020-1027 brief as a PDF
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Description
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Kernel handles objects in memory, aka 'Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-0913, CVE-2020-1000, CVE-2020-1003.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | May 23, 2022 | Jun 13, 2022 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Mar 23, 2020 | Jun 13, 2022 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | May 23, 2022 | Jun 13, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | May 23, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
42 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
Added to Industry KEV feed
Mar 23, 2020
Publicly disclosed
Apr 15, 2020
Added to CISA KEV
May 23, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
May 23, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
May 23, 2022
Last updated
Oct 29, 2025
Weakness Type
- CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write
References
- patchhttps://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1027
- exploithttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/168068/Windows-sxs-CNodeFactory-XMLParser_Element_doc_assembly_assemblyIdentity-Heap-Buffer-Overflow.html
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- otherhttps://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-1027
FAQ
Common Questions.
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Kernel handles objects in memory, aka 'Windows Kernel 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 Mar 23, 2020.
Yes. It was added on May 23, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Jun 13, 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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