CVE-2020-0787
Confirmed PUBLISHEDAn elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) improperly handles symbolic links,...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) improperly handles symbolic links, aka 'Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.
- CVE Published
- Mar 12, 2020
- Exploitation Reported
- Jan 28, 2022
- CVSS
- 7.8 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
43 version rows · page 1 of 2
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 Version 1803 for 32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 Version 1803 for x64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 Version 1803 for ARM64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 Version 1809 for ARM64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 Version 1709 for x64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 Version 1709 for ARM64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 for 32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 for x64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
8.1 for 32-bit systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
8.1 for x64-based systems |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows
|
RT 8.1 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server
|
version 1803 (Core Installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server
|
2019 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server
|
2019 (Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server
|
2016 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server
|
2016 (Core installation) |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server
|
2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Windows Server
|
2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Core installation) |
Affected |
CVE References
- portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0787 portal.msrc.microsoft.com · CVE Record https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CV...
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/158056/Background-Intelligent-Transfer... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158056/Background-Intelligent-Tr...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2022-01-28 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/local/cve_2020_0787_bits_arbitrary_file_move.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2022-01-28 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Used in malware
Recorded 2022-01-28 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2020-06-16 08:57:51 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/local/cve_2020_0787_bits_arbitrary_file_move.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2020-12-11 09:27:34 UTC · 0 stars
github · Created 2020-06-16 08:57:51 UTC · 715 stars
Support ALL Windows Version
metasploit · Created Unknown
Metasploit module for CVE-2020-0787
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
First public exploitation report
Exploit observed in malware
-
08:57 UTC about 6 years ago08:57 UTC · about 6 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
15:48 UTC over 6 years ago15:48 UTC · over 6 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 6 years ago00:00 UTC · over 6 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2020-0787
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2020-0787",
"title": "An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Background In...",
"affected_vendor": "Microsoft",
"affected_product": "Windows, Windows Server, Windows 10 Version 1909 for 32-bit Systems, Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based Systems, Windows 10 Version 1909 for ARM64-based Systems, Windows Server, version 1909 (Server Core installation), Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems, Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems, Windows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systems, Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation)",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 7.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}