NVD

CVE-2020-16933 Detail

Modified

This CVE record has been updated after NVD enrichment efforts were completed. Enrichment data supplied by the NVD may require amendment due to these changes.

Current Description

A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could use a specially crafted file to perform actions in the security context of the current user. For example, the file could then take actions on behalf of the logged-on user with the same permissions as the current user. To exploit the vulnerability, a user must open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Word software. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending the specially crafted file to the user and convincing the user to open the file. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website (or leverage a compromised website that accepts or hosts user-provided content) that contains a specially crafted file that is designed to exploit the vulnerability. However, an attacker would have no way to force the user to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince the user to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince the user to open the specially crafted file. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Word handles these files.

View Analysis Description

Metrics

NVD enrichment efforts reference publicly available information to associate vector strings. CVSS information contributed by other sources is also displayed.

CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:

NIST: NVD

N/A

NVD assessment not yet provided.

CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:

NIST: NVD

Base Score: 8.8 HIGH

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

Nist CVSS score does not match with CNA score

CNA: Microsoft Corporation

Base Score: 7.0 HIGH

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

CVSS 2.0 Severity and Vector Strings:

National Institute of Standards and Technology

NIST: NVD

Base Score: 6.8 MEDIUM

Vector: (AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P)

References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

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URL	Source(s)	Tag(s)
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16933	CVE, Microsoft Corporation	Patch Vendor Advisory

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-ID	CWE Name	Source
NVD-CWE-noinfo	Insufficient Information	NIST

Known Affected Software Configurations Switch to CPE 2.2

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Change History

6 change records found show changes

CVE Modified by Microsoft Corporation 2/23/2026 1:21:26 PM

Action

Type

Old Value

New Value

Changed

Description

<p>A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could use a specially crafted file to perform actions in the security context of the current user. For example, the file could then take actions on behalf of the logged-on user with the same permissions as the current user.</p>
<p>To exploit the vulnerability, a user must open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Word software. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending the specially crafted file to the user and convincing the user to open the file. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website (or leverage a compromised website that accepts or hosts user-provided content) that contains a specially crafted file that is designed to exploit the vulnerability. However, an attacker would have no way to force the user to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince the user to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince the user to open the specially crafted file.</p>
<p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Word handles these files.</p>

<p>A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could use a specially crafted file to perform actions in the security context of the current user. For example, the file could then take actions on behalf of the logged-on user with the same permissions as the current user.</p>
<p>To exploit the vulnerability, a user must open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Word software. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending the specially crafted file to the user and convincing the user to open the file. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website (or leverage a compromised website that accepts or hosts user-provided content) that contains a specially crafted file that is designed to exploit the vulnerability. However, an attacker would have no way to force the user to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince the user to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince the user to open the specially crafted file.</p>
<p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Word handles these files.</p>

CVE Modified by Microsoft Corporation 12/31/2023 3:15:54 PM

Action

Type

Old Value

New Value

Changed

Description

A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files, aka 'Microsoft Word Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability'.

<p>A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could use a specially crafted file to perform actions in the security context of the current user. For example, the file could then take actions on behalf of the logged-on user with the same permissions as the current user.</p>
<p>To exploit the vulnerability, a user must open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Word software. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending the specially crafted file to the user and convincing the user to open the file. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website (or leverage a compromised website that accepts or hosts user-provided content) that contains a specially crafted file that is designed to exploit the vulnerability. However, an attacker would have no way to force the user to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince the user to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince the user to open the specially crafted file.</p>
<p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Word handles these files.</p>

Added

CVSS V3.1

Microsoft Corporation AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Initial Analysis by NIST 10/21/2020 12:27:23 PM

Action	Type	Old Value	New Value
Added	CVSS V3.1		NIST AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Added	CVSS V2		NIST (AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P)
Added	CWE		NIST CWE-755
Added	CPE Configuration		OR cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:365_apps:-::::enterprise:::* cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2016:::::macos::* cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2019:::::-::* cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2019:::::macos::* cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2010:sp2::::::* cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2013:sp1::::::* cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2013:sp1:::rt::: cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:word:2016:::::::
Added	CPE Configuration		OR cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1709::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1803::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1903::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1::::::* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2::::::* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:::::x64: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1903::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:1909::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:2004::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:::::::
Changed	Reference Type	https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16933 No Types Assigned	https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16933 Patch, Vendor Advisory
Added	CVSS V2 Metadata		Victim must voluntarily interact with attack mechanism

Quick Info

CVE Dictionary Entry:
CVE-2020-16933
NVD Published Date:
10/16/2020
NVD Last Modified:
02/23/2026
Source:
Microsoft Corporation

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Information Technology Laboratory

National Vulnerability Database

National Vulnerability Database

CVE-2020-16933 Detail

Current Description

Analysis Description

Metrics

References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Weakness Enumeration

Known Affected Software Configurations Switch to CPE 2.2

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Change History

CVE Modified by Microsoft Corporation 2/23/2026 1:21:26 PM

CVE Modified by CVE 11/21/2024 12:07:27 AM

CVE Modified by Microsoft Corporation 5/14/2024 2:33:38 AM

CVE Modified by Microsoft Corporation 12/31/2023 3:15:54 PM

CWE Remap by NIST 7/12/2022 1:42:04 PM

Initial Analysis by NIST 10/21/2020 12:27:23 PM

Quick Info