Every CVE Search/ Get API key

CVE-2020-1096

Microsoft Edge PDF Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

4.2 Medium

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.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Network
Complexity
High
Privileges needed
None
User interaction
Required

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
Low
Availability
None

Exploit likelihood

2.07%Down 7.5 points since Apr 14, 2021
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

CVE List Score used 4.2

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.

Record
CVE-2020-1096
CVSS 3.1
4.2 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:C
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2020-11984 4.2

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.

Record
EUVD-2020-11984
CVSS 3.1
4.2 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:C
Updated
2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-8q69-fxwh-w5gr 4.2

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Microsoft Edge PDF Reader improperly handles...

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Microsoft Edge PDF Reader improperly handles objects in memory, aka 'Microsoft Edge PDF Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.

Record
GHSA-8q69-fxwh-w5gr
CVSS 3.1
4.2 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
Weakness
CWE-119
Updated
2026-11-02
NVD 4.2

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.

Record
CVE-2020-1096
CVSS 3.1
4.2 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
CVSS 3.1
7.5 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS 2.0
7.6 HighAV:N/AC:H/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected products

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
facts
first indexedCVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2020-1096 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 4.2) in Microsoft Edge, published May 21, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 2.07%, the 81st percentile. No source names a fixed version.

References

MoveEnter Open