CVE-2020-1337: Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Advisory generated from the CVE record, CISA, Exploit Observer and VEDAS: what it is, whether it is exploited, who is affected, and how to fix and detect it.
Generated by VEDAS. Scores as of 2026-11-11 15:49 UTC. Rebuilt every few hours from cve-scores, CISA KEV and vedas-signatures. How this works and its limits.
What it is
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly allows arbitrary writing to the file system. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to log on to an affected system and run a specially crafted script or application. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Print Spooler Component writes to the file system.
Description quoted from the CVE record (assigned by microsoft, published 2020-08-17).
How it can be exploited
Exploitable with local access with low attack complexity needing low privileges and no user interaction. Impact: confidentiality high, integrity high, availability high. CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C
CISA assessment (SSVC): CISA has no evidence of exploitation. Automatable: no. Technical impact: total.
Public exploit evidence (Exploit Observer)
Exploit Observer found 1 Metasploit module, 6 code repositories and 2 research write-ups naming this CVE.
Code repositories that name a CVE are often scanners, copies or fakes, and some are malware. Read the code before running anything.
See all 15 references on Exploit Observer
Live scores
- EPSS
- 0.142
likely to be attacked soon - VEDAS
- 0.989
strong exploit evidence - On CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Detection rule
- No public rule yet
Who is affected
| Product | Affected | Not affected |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 2004 | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows Server version 2004 | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1803 | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows Server 2019 | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1909 | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows Server, version 1909 (Server Core installation) | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1709 | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systems | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation) | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1507 | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607 | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows Server 2016 | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) | from 10.0.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows 7 | from 6.1.0 before publication | Not stated |
| Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1 | from 6.1.0 before publication | Not stated |
10 more products are listed in the CVE record.
Version ranges exactly as the CVE record states them. “Before X” means X is the first fixed version.
How to fix it
Fixed versions stated in the CVE record: publication.
How to detect it
There is no open VEDAS detection rule for this bug yet. It is listed on the detection gaps page if CISA has confirmed attacks.
Advisories on this CVE
References
Other references
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1337 (x_refsource_MISC)
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160028/Microsoft-Windows-Local-Spooler-Bypass.html (x_refsource_MISC)
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160993/Microsoft-Spooler-Local-Privilege-Elevation.html (x_refsource_MISC)
Other databases
Where this comes from
This advisory is generated automatically by VEDAS from: CVE.org record, cve-scores (EPSS and VEDAS), Exploit Observer. Text in quotes is reproduced from the source; everything else is a fixed template filled with source fields. Nothing here is written by a language model. Check the vendor advisory before acting, and read how VEDAS and Exploit Observer work, and their limits.
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