# CVE-2020-0787: Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) Improper Privilege Management Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-0787-microsoft-windows-background-intelligent-transfer-service-bits  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-01-28. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2020-0787 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-01-28

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) due to improper handling of symbolic links. A local attacker can exploit this by following links to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM-level privileges.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2020-0787 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2020-0787 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 28 January 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2020-0787?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 28 January 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 10 1507, 1607, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909; Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1; Microsoft Windows 8.1; Microsoft Windows RT 8.1; and 4 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2020-0787?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2020-0787 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2020-0787?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows. 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 1507, 1607, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909
- Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1
- Microsoft Windows 8.1
- Microsoft Windows RT 8.1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2, R2 Service Pack 1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016 1803, 1903, 1909
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019

## Timeline

- 2020-03-10: disclosed: Initial publication date based on CVE year and typical Microsoft patch cycles (MSRC)
- 2022-01-28: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2022-01-28: other: NVD publication date

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