Microsoft Windows up to Server 2019 Storage VSP Driver access control

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.2$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows. It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown part of the component Storage VSP Driver. Performing a manipulation results in access control. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2020-16885. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Microsoft Windows (Operating System). This affects an unknown code block of the component Storage VSP Driver. 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 Storage VSP Driver improperly handles file operations. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain elevated privileges.</p> <p>To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would first need code execution on a victim system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by ensuring the Windows Storage VSP Driver properly handles file operations.</p>

The weakness was published 10/13/2020 as confirmed security guidance (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2020-16885. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/24/2026). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1068 according to MITRE ATT&CK. The advisory points out:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Storage VSP Driver improperly handles file operations. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain elevated privileges. To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would first need code execution on a victim system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application. The security update addresses the vulnerability by ensuring the Windows Storage VSP Driver properly handles file operations.

It is declared as functional.

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

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for 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: 7.2

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.9
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: Functional

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 🔍
02/24/2026 +1959 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

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

CVE: CVE-2020-16885 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2020-16885
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-162615
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161215

Entryinfo

Created: 10/14/2020 11:31
Updated: 02/24/2026 18:57
Changes: 10/14/2020 11:31 (30), 10/14/2020 11:35 (25), 11/18/2020 07:33 (5), 11/19/2020 12:39 (2), 11/19/2020 12:46 (14), 02/24/2026 18:57 (29)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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