CVE-2020-1027
Microsoft Windows Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Microsoft Windows
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.
Exploitation status
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
Listed by CISA on 23 May 2022. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 13 June 2022.
EPSS — exploitation probability
FIRST puts the probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days at 4.5%, which is higher than 91.4% of all scored vulnerabilities. EPSS is a forecast of activity, not a measure of severity, and it is rescored daily.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Frequently asked questions
Is CVE-2020-1027 being exploited by ransomware groups?
No ransomware group in this database is currently recorded as exploiting CVE-2020-1027.
What does CVE-2020-1027 affect?
CVE-2020-1027 affects Microsoft Windows. 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.
How severe is CVE-2020-1027?
CVE-2020-1027 is rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.8. EPSS puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 4.5%, higher than 91.4% of all scored vulnerabilities. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a federal remediation deadline of 13 June 2022.
How should organisations respond to CVE-2020-1027?
Apply the vendor patch for Microsoft Windows as the first priority, and treat any internet-facing instance as the most urgent. Because this vulnerability is associated with ransomware activity, also review whether the affected systems were reachable before patching, rather than assuming that patching alone closes the incident.