# CVE-2020-17144: Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-17144-microsoft-exchange-server-remote-code-execution-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2021-11-03. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2020-17144 · Severity: critical · CVSS 8.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-03

Microsoft Exchange Server contains a remote code execution vulnerability due to improper validation of cmdlet arguments and insecure deserialization of untrusted data. An authenticated attacker can exploit this to execute arbitrary code on the server.

Technologies: [Microsoft Exchange Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/exchange-server). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2020-17144 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2020-17144 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2020-17144?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 3 November 2021.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 SP3 Rollup 31.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2020-17144?** A patch was published on 2020-12-11: Initial patch advisory and analysis by NIST/Microsoft Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2020-17144 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2020-17144?** Check whether you run Microsoft Exchange Server. 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 Exchange Server 2010 SP3 Rollup 31

## Timeline

- 2020-12-09: disclosed: NVD Published Date
- 2020-12-11: patched: Initial patch advisory and analysis by NIST/Microsoft
- 2021-11-03: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2021-11-03: exploited: Reported as exploited in the wild per CISA KEV entry

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Exchange Server improper access control spoofing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118208-improper-access-control-in-microsoft-exchange-server-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Exchange Server improper input validation code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118207-improper-input-validation-in-microsoft-exchange-server-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Exchange Server weak authentication privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118157-weak-authentication-in-microsoft-exchange-server-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Exchange Server privilege elevation via untrusted security decision input](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118154-reliance-on-untrusted-inputs-in-a-security-decision-in-microsoft)
- [Microsoft Exchange Server algorithmic complexity denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118153-inefficient-algorithmic-complexity-in-microsoft-exchange-server)