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CVE Record

CVE-2020-16968: Windows Camera Codec Pack Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Camera Codec Pack 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>Exploitation of the vulnerability requires that a user open a specially crafted file with an affected version of the Windows Camera Codec Pack. 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) containing a specially crafted file designed to exploit the vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or instant message, and then convince them to open the specially crafted file.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Camera Codec Pack handles objects in memory.</p>

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2020-16968 is a Windows Camera Codec Pack flaw that can let an attacker run code after convincing a user to open a malicious file. Impact depends on the user's privileges; administrator accounts could lead to full system takeover.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority endpoint patching issue, especially for privileged workstations. It is not described as remotely exploitable without user action, but successful exploitation can give an attacker the user's full system permissions.

Technical view

The vulnerability is a memory object handling issue in Windows Camera Codec Pack. Microsoft rates it CVSS 3.1 7.8 with local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, and required user interaction. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution as the current user.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on affected Windows 10 systems listed by Microsoft, especially endpoints where users open untrusted files from email, instant messages, websites, or shared content repositories.

Exploitation context

The provided sources describe phishing-style and web-based luring scenarios requiring the user to open a specially crafted file. The bundle does not identify CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence.

Researcher notes

No CWE is provided in the bundle. CVSS indicates AV:L, AC:L, PR:N, UI:R, S:U, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. ZDI is listed as a public advisory source, but the bundle provides limited root-cause detail beyond memory object handling.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2020-16968.
  • Prioritize endpoints used with local administrator rights.
  • Reduce routine administrator use on affected Windows systems.
  • Warn users against opening unexpected media or camera-related files.
  • Check Microsoft guidance for version-specific update requirements.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Windows 10 versions named in the advisory.
  • Verify the Microsoft update is installed on affected endpoints.
  • Confirm endpoint management reports no missing security updates.
  • Review whether exposed users operate with administrator rights.
  • Check mail and web controls for suspicious file delivery patterns.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

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-2020-16968 mapping review

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

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
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

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
3Source 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
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS: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 score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2020-16968Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 180310.0.0Listed
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 180910.0.0Listed
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 190910.0.0Listed
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems10.0.0Listed
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 170910.0.0Listed
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems10.0.0Listed
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems10.0.0Listed
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systems10.0.0Listed
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 200410.0.0Listed
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 150710.0.0Listed
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 160710.0.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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