Microsoft Windows up to Server 2019 Backup Service access control

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
7.1$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Microsoft Windows. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Backup Service. Performing a manipulation results in access control. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2020-16974. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows (Operating System). It has been classified as critical. This affects some unknown processing of the component Backup Service. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a access control vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-284. The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

<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 at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2020-16974. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/25/2026). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1068 for this issue. 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.

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

Productinfo

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

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Access control
CWE: CWE-284 / CWE-266
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-2020-16974 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2020-16974
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-162609
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161215

Entryinfo

Created: 10/14/2020 11:16
Updated: 02/25/2026 01:59
Changes: 10/14/2020 11:16 (6), 10/14/2020 11:17 (24), 10/14/2020 11:20 (25), 11/18/2020 07:32 (5), 11/19/2020 11:45 (2), 11/19/2020 11:51 (14), 02/25/2026 01:59 (29)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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