CVE-2020-16863

Name: CVE-2020-16863
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-10-16T23:15:12.587+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 5.42%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-16863 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. A denial of service vulnerability exists in Windows Remote Desktop Service when an attacker connects to the target system using RDP and sends specially crafted requests. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause the Remote Desktop Service on the target system to stop responding. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to run a specially crafted application against a server which provides Remote Desktop Service. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Remote Desktop Service handles connection requests.. EPSS estimates a 5.42% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A denial of service vulnerability exists in Windows Remote Desktop Service when an attacker connects to the target system using RDP and sends specially crafted requests. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause the Remote Desktop Service on the target system to stop responding. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to run a specially crafted application against a server which provides Remote Desktop Service. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Remote Desktop Service handles connection requests.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

5.42%

91.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Microsoft	Windows 7	All versions	Sp1
Microsoft	Windows Server 2008	r2	Sp1

References

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16863Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16863Patch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 16, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-16863?

How severe is CVE-2020-16863?

CVE-2020-16863 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 5.42% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16863?

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-2020-16863?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST