Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Windows graphics handling flaw that could let an attacker run code if a user opens a maliciously crafted file. The risk is serious because successful exploitation can affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but it requires user interaction and the provided sources do not show known active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority patching item for legacy Windows fleets and user-facing systems. It is not described as wormable or actively exploited in the provided sources, but successful exploitation could give an attacker code execution after user interaction.
Technical view
Microsoft Graphics Components mishandle objects in memory, enabling arbitrary code execution after a user opens a crafted file. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8 with local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, required user interaction, unchanged scope, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is primarily listed Windows 10 versions 1507, 1607, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909, 2004, plus Windows Server 2016 and 2019 systems that lack the relevant Microsoft security update.
Exploitation context
The source bundle says exploitation requires a user to open a specially crafted file. KEV status is false, and no cited source in the bundle establishes active exploitation. The bundle does not identify a specific file type or delivery method.
Researcher notes
The evidence supports memory-handling RCE in Microsoft Graphics Components with patch-based remediation. The bundle lacks CWE, specific parsing component details, file format, proof-of-concept status, and ZDI technical detail, so validation should focus on asset applicability and update state, not exploit reproduction.
Mitigation direction
- Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2020-1167 to affected Windows systems.
- Prioritize user workstations and file-handling servers running affected Windows versions.
- Check Microsoft guidance for product-specific update applicability and supersedence.
- Use email and web controls to reduce delivery of untrusted crafted files.
Validation and detection
- Inventory endpoints and servers for affected Windows versions listed in the source bundle.
- Confirm Microsoft security updates for CVE-2020-1167 are installed or superseded.
- Review vulnerability scanner results against MSRC advisory applicability.
- Verify high-risk users cannot open untrusted files from unmanaged sources without controls.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-1167 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1167CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1247/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.