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Vulnerability record · CVE-2020-16856 · published 11 September 2020

CVE-2020-16856: Microsoft visual studio vulnerability

Microsoft · Visual Studio

<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>

7.8 CVSS 3.1 High EPSS 4.4% · top 9.1%
7.8CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 9.3
4.4%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
3Affected product versions listed by NVD
2References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

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:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

3 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16856 PatchVendor Advisory
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16856 PatchVendor Advisory

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Related vulnerabilities

Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2020-16856), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-27). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.