CVE-2020-0688
Confirmed PUBLISHEDA remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Exchange software when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Exchange software when the software fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Microsoft Exchange Memory Corruption Vulnerability'.
- CVE Published
- Feb 11, 2020
- Exploitation Reported
- Nov 03, 2021
- CVSS
- 8.8 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft |
Microsoft Exchange Server 2013
|
Cumulative Update 23 |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 3
|
unspecified |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 14
|
unspecified |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 15
|
unspecified |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 4
|
unspecified |
Affected |
| Microsoft |
Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 3 Update Rollup 30
|
unspecified |
Affected |
CVE References
- portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0688 portal.msrc.microsoft.com · CVE Record https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CV...
- zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-258 zerodayinitiative.com · CVE Record https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-258/
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/156592/Microsoft-Exchange-2019-15.2.22... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156592/Microsoft-Exchange-2019-1...
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/156620/Exchange-Control-Panel-Viewstat... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156620/Exchange-Control-Panel-Vi...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2021-11-03 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/http/exchange_ecp_viewstate.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2021-11-03 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Used in malware
Recorded 2021-11-03 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2020-02-26 12:28:11 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Authentication
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/http/exchange_ecp_viewstate.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2024-05-09 12:50:48 UTC · 16 stars
GUI Exploit Tool for CVE-2020-0688(Microsoft Exchange default MachineKeySection deserialize vulnerability)
github · Created 2023-08-02 06:25:06 UTC · 1 stars
CVE-2020-0688 modified exploit for Exchange 2010
github · Created 2022-10-19 10:36:10 UTC · 2 stars
Exploit updated to use Python 3.
github · Created 2022-05-12 03:17:35 UTC · 0 stars
CVE-2020-0688_Microsoft Exchange default MachineKeySection deserialize vulnerability
github · Created 2021-01-04 10:48:40 UTC · 20 stars
Remote Code Execution on Microsoft Exchange Server through fixed cryptographic keys
github · Created 2020-10-29 15:16:24 UTC · 2 stars
Scans for Microsoft Exchange Versions with masscan
github · Created 2020-08-17 12:41:51 UTC · 4 stars
[CVE-2020-0688] Microsoft Exchange Server Fixed Cryptographic Key Remote Code Execution (RCE)
github · Created 2020-04-22 07:28:32 UTC · 3 stars
PoC RCE Reverse Shell for CVE-2020-0688
github · Created 2020-04-05 13:26:03 UTC · 2 stars
CVE-2020-0688 "Microsoft Exchange default MachineKeySection deserialize vulnerability"
github · Created 2020-03-31 15:29:52 UTC · 11 stars
Exploitation Script for CVE-2020-0688 "Microsoft Exchange default MachineKeySection deserialize vulnerability"
github · Created 2020-03-19 16:39:56 UTC · 8 stars
Vulnerability scanner for CVE-2020-0688
github · Created 2020-03-01 12:57:32 UTC · 354 stars
Exploit and detect tools for CVE-2020-0688
github · Created 2020-02-28 16:04:30 UTC · 39 stars
Quick tool for checking CVE-2020-0688 on multiple hosts with a non-intrusive method.
github · Created 2020-02-27 23:55:04 UTC · 2 stars
Exchange Scanner CVE-2020-0688
github · Created 2020-02-27 13:53:46 UTC · 145 stars
CVE-2020-0688_EXP Auto trigger payload & encrypt method
github · Created 2020-02-26 12:28:11 UTC · 65 stars
CVE-2020-0688 - Exchange
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
First public exploitation report
Exploit observed in malware
-
12:28 UTC over 6 years ago12:28 UTC · over 6 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
21:22 UTC over 6 years ago21:22 UTC · over 6 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 6 years ago00:00 UTC · over 6 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2020-0688
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2020-0688",
"title": "A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Exchange software w...",
"affected_vendor": "Microsoft",
"affected_product": "Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 3, Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 14, Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 15, Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 4, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 3 Update Rollup 30",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 8.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}