CVE-2020-1170

Name: CVE-2020-1170
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-06-09T20:15:12.647+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 1.61%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-1170 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows Defender that leads arbitrary file deletion on the system.To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system, aka 'Microsoft Windows Defender Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1163.. EPSS estimates a 1.61% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows Defender that leads arbitrary file deletion on the system.To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system, aka 'Microsoft Windows Defender Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1163.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

1.61%

72.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-732

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Microsoft	Windows Defender	All versions
Microsoft	Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010	All versions
Microsoft	Security Essentials	All versions
Microsoft	System Center Endpoint Protection	2012

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160919/Cloud-Filter-Arbitrary-File-Creation-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1170Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160919/Cloud-Filter-Arbitrary-File-Creation-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1170Patch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jun 9, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-1170?

How severe is CVE-2020-1170?

CVE-2020-1170 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.61% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-1170?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2020-1170?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST