CVE-2020-0981Public exploit

Sandbox escape via inherited parent token identifier

Published Apr 15, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Windows token authorization flaws in Microsoft Windows 10 and Server 1903 and 1909 allow local users to escape restricted-token sandboxes. SepFilterToken copies the source token's ParentTokenId instead of its unique TokenId, causing a new restricted token to satisfy a sibling-token check. Exploitation requires code execution inside a restricted local process and a suitable accessible token; a successful chain runs code outside the original sandbox.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.27%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Windows token authorization flaws in Microsoft Windows 10 and Server 1903 and 1909 allow local users to escape restricted-token sandboxes. SepFilterToken copies the source token's ParentTokenId instead of its unique TokenId, causing a new restricted token to satisfy a sibling-token check. Exploitation requires code execution inside a restricted local process and a suitable accessible token; a successful chain runs code outside the original sandbox.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-0981
Published
Apr 15, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows 10 Version 1909
Classifications
CWE-863, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 15, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1909version=unspecified
Microsoft · Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation)version=unspecified
Microsoft · Windows Server, version 1909 (Server Core installation)version=unspecified
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1903version=unspecified

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.6NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-863Incorrect Authorization
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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