CVE-2020-1117
Microsoft Color Management Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Color Management Module (ICM32.dll) handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit the vulnerability and then convince users to view the website. An attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by getting them to click a link in an email or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Color Management Module handles objects in memory.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Required
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
8.8
Microsoft Color Management Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Color Management Module (ICM32.dll) handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit the vulnerability and then convince users to view the website. An attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by getting them to click a link in an email or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Color Management Module handles objects in memory.
- Record
CVE-2020-1117- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C - Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2020-12004
8.8
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Color Management Module (ICM32.dll) handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit the vulnerability and then convince users to view the website. An attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by getting them to click a link in an email or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Color Management Module handles objects in memory.
- Record
EUVD-2020-12004- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C - Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-wcxq-8gcm-8gfq
8.8
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Color Management Module (ICM32...
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Color Management Module (ICM32.dll) handles objects in memory, aka 'Microsoft Color Management Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.
- Record
GHSA-wcxq-8gcm-8gfq- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-119
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
8.8
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Color Management Module (ICM32.dll) handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit the vulnerability and then convince users to view the website. An attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by getting them to click a link in an email or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Color Management Module handles objects in memory.
- Record
CVE-2020-1117- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 9.3 High
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C - Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
- microsoft windows 10 version 1607
- microsoft windows 10 version 1709
- microsoft windows 10 version 1709 for 32-bit systems
- microsoft windows 10 version 1803
- microsoft windows 10 version 1809
- microsoft windows 10 version 1903 for 32-bit systems
- microsoft windows 10 version 1903 for arm64-based systems
- microsoft windows 10 version 1903 for x64-based systems
- microsoft windows 10 version 1909
- microsoft windows server 2016
- microsoft windows server 2016 (server core installation)
- microsoft windows server 2019
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| facts | ||
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2020-1117 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 8.8) in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607, published May 21, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 4.09%, the 90th percentile. No source names a fixed version.