# CVE-2020-0638: Microsoft Update Notification Manager Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-0638-microsoft-update-notification-manager-privilege-escalation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-05-23. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2020-0638 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-05-23

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Microsoft Update Notification Manager due to improper handling of files. An attacker who has already gained execution on a victim system could exploit this to elevate their privileges.

Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2020-0638 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2020-0638 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 23 May 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2020-0638?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 23 May 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 10 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909; Microsoft Windows Server 2016 1803, 1903, 1909; Microsoft Windows Server 2019 -; Microsoft Windows Server 1803, 1903, 1909.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2020-0638?** A patch was published on 2020-01-14: Microsoft advisory and patch released Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2020-0638 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2020-0638?** Check whether you run Microsoft Update Notification Manager. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows 10 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016 1803, 1903, 1909
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019 -
- Microsoft Windows Server 1803, 1903, 1909

## Timeline

- 2020-01-14: disclosed: NVD Published Date
- 2020-01-14: patched: Microsoft advisory and patch released
- 2022-05-23: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2022-05-23: exploited: Reported as exploited in the wild per CISA KEV entry