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CVE-2020-16874

Visual Studio Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published: Sep 11, 2020Updated: Feb 23, 2026 Sources: CVE List NVD BDUNVD-CWE-noinfo

Description

<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio when it improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.</p> <p>To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would have to convince a user to open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Visual Studio.</p> <p>The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Visual Studio handles objects in memory.</p>

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:LAC:LPR:NUI:RS:UC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:LAttack Vector
Local
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:NPrivileges Required
None
UI:RUser Interaction
Required
Scope
S:UScope
Unchanged
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High

Weaknesses

Affected Products

microsoft corpcommercialUSOperating Systemsaka microsoft corporation
and 10 more affected products View all →

Exploitability

Official Patch Available

References

Timeline

Published
Sep 11, 2020
Last Updated
Feb 23, 2026

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