CVE-2020-16857 in Dynamics 365 for Finance
Summary
by MITRE
<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (on-premises) version 10.0.11. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain remote code execution via server-side script execution on the victim server.</p> <p>An authenticated attacker with privileges to import and export data could exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted file to a vulnerable Dynamics server.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (on-premises) version 10.0.11 handles user input.</p>
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations on-premises deployment version 10.0.11. The weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data during file import operations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious files that exploit the server-side script execution capabilities, effectively allowing them to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability specifically targets the data import/export functionality, creating a pathway for privilege escalation when combined with authentication credentials.
The technical exploitation occurs through server-side script execution channels that process user input without sufficient sanitization measures. This flaw aligns with CWE-74 and CWE-94 categories, which address injection vulnerabilities and insecure deserialization issues respectively. The attack vector requires an authenticated user with import/export privileges, making it less accessible than fully unauthenticated exploits but still highly dangerous within compromised environments. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation failure where the system fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before processing it as executable code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially compromise entire enterprise networks. Organizations running on-premises Dynamics 365 deployments face significant risk since the vulnerability affects the core data processing capabilities of the platform. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that import/export operations are common administrative tasks within enterprise environments, making the exploitation scenario highly realistic and potentially widespread across organizations with legacy deployments.
Microsoft has addressed this vulnerability through a security update that implements proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations platform. Organizations should immediately apply the relevant security patches and conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their on-premises deployments. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation, restricting user privileges, and monitoring import/export activities for anomalous behavior. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in enterprise application environments where data processing functions can become attack vectors for remote code execution.