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CVE-2020-1081

Status: ModifiedHigh (7.8)—

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Printer Service improperly validates file paths while loading printer drivers. An authenticated attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerability and take control of an affected system. The update addresses this vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Printer Service validates file paths.

CVSS

Exploitation probability (EPSS)

EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System, FIRST) estimates how likely a vulnerability is to be exploited in the wild within 30 days. It complements CVSS (impact) and CISA KEV (confirmed exploitation).

Affected technologies (8)

CWEs

References

Raw JSON (NVD)

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{
  "id": "CVE-2020-1081",
  "cveTags": [],
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  "published": "2020-05-21T23:15:13.507",
  "references": [
    {
      "url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-1081",
      "source": "secure@microsoft.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1081",
      "tags": [
        "Patch",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    }
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  "vulnStatus": "Modified",
  "weaknesses": [
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      "source": "nvd@nist.gov",
      "description": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "CWE-20"
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  "descriptions": [
    {
      "lang": "en",
      "value": "An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Printer Service improperly validates file paths while loading printer drivers. An authenticated attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code with elevated system privileges.\nTo exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerability and take control of an affected system.\nThe update addresses this vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Printer Service validates file paths."
    },
    {
      "lang": "es",
      "value": "Existe una vulnerabilidad de elevación de privilegios cuando el Windows Printer Service comprueba inapropiadamente las rutas de archivo mientras se cargan los controladores de impresora, también se conoce como \"Windows Printer Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability\"."
    }
  ],
  "lastModified": "2026-08-19T17:17:14.943",
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