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CVE Record

CVE-2020-16884: Internet Explorer Browser Helper Object (BHO) Memory Corruption Vulnerability

<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the IEToEdge Browser Helper Object (BHO) plugin on Internet Explorer handles objects in memory. The vulnerability could corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user.</p> <p>In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could take control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how the IEToEdge BHO plug-in handles objects in memory.</p>

MediumCVSS 4.2Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This vulnerability affects Microsoft’s IEToEdge Browser Helper Object used with Internet Explorer. A user would need to be convinced to open attacker-controlled web content. Successful exploitation could let the attacker run code as that user, with higher business impact if the user has administrative rights.

Executive priority

Treat this as a moderate-priority endpoint patching issue. It requires user interaction and has high attack complexity, but successful exploitation can execute code as the user and becomes more serious on administrator workstations.

Technical view

CVE-2020-16884 is a memory corruption remote code execution issue in how the IEToEdge BHO handles objects in memory. The CVSS 3.1 score is 4.2, with network attack vector, high complexity, no privileges required, and required user interaction. Microsoft’s update changes BHO memory handling.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on endpoints using the affected Microsoft Edge Chromium-based component and IEToEdge BHO path. Risk concentrates where users still interact with Internet Explorer-related flows, can receive untrusted links or attachments, or operate with local administrative rights.

Exploitation context

The source describes a web-based social engineering scenario. An attacker would need to convince a user to visit a crafted site or open malicious content. The bundle does not indicate CISA KEV listing or provide cited evidence of active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Key constraints are user interaction, high attack complexity, and execution in the current user context. The source bundle names Microsoft’s memory-handling update as the fix, but does not provide exploit details, observed exploitation, or broader affected-version detail beyond the listed product entry.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Microsoft’s security update for CVE-2020-16884.
  • Review the MSRC advisory for exact affected component guidance.
  • Prioritize remediation on endpoints used by administrators.
  • Reduce local administrative rights where feasible.
  • Reinforce controls against untrusted links and attachments.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory endpoints for affected Microsoft Edge Chromium-based components.
  • Confirm the relevant Microsoft security update is installed.
  • Check whether IEToEdge BHO or legacy Internet Explorer workflows remain in use.
  • Identify exposed users with local administrative rights.
  • Review email and web telemetry for suspicious lure activity if warranted.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
3

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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.

description · low confidence lookup

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 lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2020-16884 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.2 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:C

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.2CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:C1.62.5Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.2Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2020-16884Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:C

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
MicrosoftMicrosoft Edge (Chromium-based)1.0.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.