CVE-2020-9452Public exploit

SYSTEM privilege escalation via hardlink overwrite

Published May 25, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Privilege escalation in Acronis True Image 2020 24.5.22510 allows local users to gain SYSTEM privileges via crafted quarantine file moves. The anti_ransomware_service.exe quarantine routine copies attacker-influenced files with SYSTEM rights, and a hardlink in the writable quarantine directory redirects that copy to overwrite arbitrary paths. The quarantine feature is disabled by default, but a local user can trigger it through the service REST API; successful exploitation provides arbitrary file write and SYSTEM-level execution potential.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.48%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Privilege escalation in Acronis True Image 2020 24.5.22510 allows local users to gain SYSTEM privileges via crafted quarantine file moves. The anti_ransomware_service.exe quarantine routine copies attacker-influenced files with SYSTEM rights, and a hardlink in the writable quarantine directory redirects that copy to overwrite arbitrary paths. The quarantine feature is disabled by default, but a local user can trigger it through the service REST API; successful exploitation provides arbitrary file write and SYSTEM-level execution potential.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-9452
Published
May 25, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-59, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 25, 2021CVE 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

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-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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