What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-16856?

CVE-2020-16856 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 4.4%.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2020-16856?

Yes, a patch is available for CVE-2020-16856. Update the affected software to the latest version immediately.

Visual Studio CVE-2020-16856

HIGH

2020-09-11 secure@microsoft.com

RCE Microsoft Visual Studio Visual Studio 2017 Visual Studio 2019

7.8

CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: microsoft

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Vulnerability Assessment

Impact	CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	Successful exploitation could compromise the high-severity affected system.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).

Patch available 4.4% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio when it improperly handles objects in memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio when it improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would have to convince a user to open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Visual Studio. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Visual Studio handles objects in memory. Affected products include: Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Visual Studio 2017, Microsoft Visual Studio 2019.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 7.8 HIGH

AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft) · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

DescriptionCVE.org

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

4.4%

Top 10% exploitable

Data Quality

2 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity HIGH

CISA KEV No

Public POC No

EPSS 4.4%

Patch available Yes

Active threat No

Deciding rule

HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Defer

Exploitation· derived

None

System Exposure· derived

Small

Automatable· derived

Human Impact· derived

Medium

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: +4

CVSS: +39

PoC: 0

Weaponized: 0

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Remote Code Execution CRITICAL

Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio:2012:update_5:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio:2013:update_5:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio:2015:update_3:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio_2017:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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References

Advisories & patches

PATCH https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16856

Search Externally

GitHub PoC

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