Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
SmartDraw 2020 27.0.0.0 can leave a Windows installation folder writable by ordinary authenticated users. Because SmartDraw also creates logon scheduled tasks targeting a missing updater binary path, a local user could cause code to run when the installing user logs on, potentially escalating impact on that endpoint.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority endpoint hardening issue where SmartDraw is installed on shared or sensitive machines. It is not internet-exposed based on the provided evidence, but it can turn ordinary local access into serious compromise of the affected workstation.
Technical view
The issue combines weak inherited permissions on the SmartDraw 2020 installation folder with scheduled tasks named SDMsgUpdate (Local) and SDMsgUpdate (TE). Both tasks run as the installing user and reference a binary in a Messages folder that does not exist by default, enabling local abuse if an attacker can write there.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Windows machines with SmartDraw 2020 27.0.0.0 installed. The source bundle does not provide a broader affected version range or CPE data, so vulnerability managers should confirm versions through software inventory rather than assuming all SmartDraw releases are affected.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The described attack requires local authenticated access and depends on the installing user logging on, but CVSS rates impact as high for confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Researcher notes
Evidence is specific but incomplete: the CVE text identifies version 27.0.0.0, task names, weak permissions, and the missing binary path pattern. No official vendor patch details, affected range, exploit-in-the-wild evidence, or CWE mapping are included in the provided bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Check SmartDraw vendor guidance for an official fix or supported workaround.
- Inventory endpoints for SmartDraw 2020 27.0.0.0 installations.
- Prioritize shared workstations and systems with multiple local users.
- Restrict or remove affected installations if vendor remediation is unavailable.
- Monitor endpoint controls for unexpected SmartDraw-related logon executions.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether SmartDraw 2020 27.0.0.0 is installed on Windows endpoints.
- Review installation folder ACLs for non-administrative write access.
- Check for SDMsgUpdate scheduled tasks on affected machines.
- Verify whether the referenced notification binary path exists unexpectedly.
- Review endpoint logs for suspicious SmartDraw-path execution at user logon.
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.
CVE-2020-13386 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
- 8.2 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/AV:L/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:L/S:C/UI:R
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:3.0/AC:L/AV:L/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:L/S:C/UI:R1.56Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
8.2HighVector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/AV:L/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:L/S:C/UI:R
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://improsec.com/tech-blog/how-not-do-handle-responsible-disclosure-smartdraw-2020CVE 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.