CVE-2020-1096
Microsoft Edge PDF Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Published May 21, 2020
CVSS 3.1 · 4.2 Medium
EPSS 2.1%
KEV · Not listed
Description
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Microsoft Edge PDF Reader improperly handles objects in memory. The vulnerability could corrupt memory in such a way that enables an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
To exploit the vulnerability, in a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains malicious PDF content. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted PDF content that could exploit the vulnerability. However, in all cases an attacker would have no way to force a user to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince a user to take action. For example, an attacker could trick a user into clicking a link that takes the user to the attacker's site.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how Microsoft Edge PDF Reader handles objects in memory.
To exploit the vulnerability, in a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains malicious PDF content. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted PDF content that could exploit the vulnerability. However, in all cases an attacker would have no way to force a user to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince a user to take action. For example, an attacker could trick a user into clicking a link that takes the user to the attacker's site.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how Microsoft Edge PDF Reader handles objects in memory.
Affected Products
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CVE record
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NVD configurations
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Red Hat packages
No data
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OpenCVE enrichment
No data
Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).
| Vendor | Product | Default status | Versions | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML-based) | affected |
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Configuration 1 [-]
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No data.
No data available yet.
Remediation
Tracking
Advisories
| Source | ID | Title |
|---|---|---|
 EUVD |
EUVD-2020-11984 | A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Microsoft Edge PDF Reader improperly handles objects in memory, aka 'Microsoft Edge PDF Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'. |
Metrics
No CVSS v4.0
Attack Vector Network
Attack Complexity High
Privileges Required None
Scope Unchanged
Confidentiality Impact Low
Integrity Impact Low
Availability Impact None
User Interaction Required
No CVSS v3.0
Access Vector Network
Access Complexity High
Authentication None
Confidentiality Impact Complete
Integrity Impact Complete
Availability Impact Complete
This CVE is not in the KEV list.
Exploit prediction score: 2.1% (2.066% probability within 30 days)
Key SSVC decision points have not yet been added.
References
History
Aug 19, 2026 4:45 PM
Description updated. Title updated. Affected versions updated. Added references. Scoring metrics updated
View changes
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| Description | A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Microsoft Edge PDF Reader improperly handles objects in memory, aka 'Microsoft Edge PDF Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'. | A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Microsoft Edge PDF Reader improperly handles objects in memory. The vulnerability could corrupt memory in such a way that enables an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. To exploit the vulnerability, in a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains malicious PDF content. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted PDF content that could exploit the vulnerability. However, in all cases an attacker would have no way to force a user to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince a user to take action. For example, an attacker could trick a user into clicking a link that takes the user to the attacker's site. The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how Microsoft Edge PDF Reader handles objects in memory. |
| Title | Microsoft Edge PDF Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | |
| CPEs | cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:edge:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | |
| References |
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| Metrics |
cvssV3_1
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cvssV3_1
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Subscriptions
Weaknesses
