Microsoft Windows up to Server 2019 Backup Service improper authentication

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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7.1$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Microsoft Windows. This affects an unknown part of the component Backup Service. Executing a manipulation can lead to improper authentication. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2020-16972. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available. It is advisable to implement a patch to correct this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Microsoft Windows (Operating System). This vulnerability affects an unknown functionality of the component Backup Service. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a improper authentication vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-287. When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Backup Service improperly handles file operations.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to gain execution on the victim system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application to elevate privileges.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Backup Service handles file operations.</p>

The weakness was shared 10/13/2020 as confirmed security guidance (Website). The advisory is shared for download at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2020-16972. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 02/25/2026). The advisory points out:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Backup Service improperly handles file operations. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to gain execution on the victim system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application to elevate privileges. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Backup Service handles file operations.

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.

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.1

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.7
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

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Improper authentication
CWE: CWE-287
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

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
Product: microsoft.com

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

CVE: CVE-2020-16972 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2020-16972
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-162604
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161215

Entryinfo

Created: 10/14/2020 11:09
Updated: 02/25/2026 01:59
Changes: 10/14/2020 11:09 (30), 10/14/2020 11:13 (25), 11/18/2020 07:32 (5), 11/19/2020 10:57 (2), 11/19/2020 10:59 (14), 02/25/2026 01:59 (29)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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