Microsoft Network Watcher Agent Virtual Machine Extension for Linux privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Microsoft Network Watcher Agent Virtual Machine Extension for Linux. The affected element is an unknown function. This manipulation causes an unknown weakness. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2020-16995. The attack requires local access. There is no available exploit. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Microsoft Network Watcher Agent Virtual Machine Extension for Linux (version now known) and classified as critical. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Network Watcher Agent virtual machine extension for Linux. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute code with elevated privileges.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to be present as a user on the affected virtual machine.</p> <p>The security update addresses this vulnerability by correcting how Network Watcher Agent virtual machine extension for Linux executes with elevated privileges.</p>

The weakness was presented 10/13/2020 as confirmed security guidance (Website). The advisory is shared at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2020-16995. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1068 for this issue. The advisory points out:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Network Watcher Agent virtual machine extension for Linux. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute code with elevated privileges.\nTo exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to be present as a user on the affected virtual machine.\nThe security update addresses this vulnerability by correcting how Network Watcher Agent virtual machine extension for Linux executes with elevated privileges.\n

It is declared as proof-of-concept.

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.4

VulDB Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Vendor Base Score (Microsoft): 7.8
Vendor Vector (Microsoft): 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.8
CNA Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privileges management
CWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Proof-of-Concept

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

08/04/2020 🔍
10/13/2020 +70 days 🔍
10/13/2020 +0 days 🔍
10/14/2020 +0 days 🔍
02/25/2026 +1960 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: portal.msrc.microsoft.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2020-16995 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2020-16995
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-162553

Entryinfo

Created: 10/14/2020 08:20
Updated: 02/25/2026 01:59
Changes: 10/14/2020 08:20 (34), 11/17/2020 08:33 (20), 11/18/2020 19:49 (2), 11/18/2020 19:57 (15), 02/25/2026 01:59 (26)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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