CVE-2020-0881: GDI+ Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE-2020-0881 is a remote code execution vulnerability in GDI+, rated Critical by Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.0 base score of 6.7 (Medium). An attacker can exploit it by an attacker with local access, with low privileges and only if a user takes an action. Microsoft has not reported exploitation in the wild and rates exploitation as less likely. The EPSS model estimates a 16.78% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 97% of all scored vulnerabilities. Microsoft released the fix on 10 March 2020 in the March 2020 Patch Tuesday, delivered through 14 security updates (KB4540689, KB4538461, KB4540673, KB4540681 and more). It affects 41 products in 2 product families (Windows, ESU).

Key facts

CVE ID

CVE-2020-0881

Severity

Medium CVSS 6.7

Microsoft severity

Critical

Impact

Remote Code Execution

Exploited in the wild

No

Publicly disclosed

No

Exploitation likelihood

Less Likely

EPSS

16.78% (percentile 97%)

CISA KEV

Not listed

Released

10 March 2020

Last updated

10 March 2020

Patch Tuesday

March 2020 Patch Tuesday

Product families

Windows, ESU

CVSS score and vector

Microsoft scores CVE-2020-0881 at 6.7 (temporal 6) using CVSS 3.0. Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C

NVD scores it 8.8 (HIGH) with CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) handles objects in the 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.

There are multiple ways an attacker could exploit the vulnerability:

• 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 open an email attachment or click a link in an email or instant message.
• In a file-sharing attack scenario, an attacker could provide a specially crafted document file that is designed to exploit the vulnerability, and then convince users to open the document file.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way that the Windows GDI handles objects in the memory.

Affected products (41)

Windows

ESU

Security updates (14)

• KB4540689 (Security Update)
• KB4538461 (Security Update)
• KB4540673 (Security Update)
• KB4540681 (Security Update)
• KB4540693 (Security Update)
• KB4540670 (Security Update)
• KB4540688 (Monthly Rollup)
• KB4541500 (Security Only)
• KB4541509 (Monthly Rollup)
• KB4541505 (Security Only)
• KB4541506 (Monthly Rollup)
• KB4541504 (Security Only)
• KB4541510 (Monthly Rollup)
• KB4540694 (Security Only)

NIST NVD data

NVD status

Modified

NVD CVSS

8.8 (HIGH)

Published to NVD

12 March 2020

NVD last modified

17 June 2026

Affected configurations (CPE)

References

• https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0881 (Patch, Vendor Advisory)
• https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0881 (Patch, Vendor Advisory)

Acknowledgments

• Zhihua Yao of DBAPPSecurity Zion Lab & bear13oy of DBAPPSecurity

Revision history

Related vulnerabilities

Other GDI+ vulnerabilities

• CVE-2026-25181: GDI+ Information Disclosure Vulnerability (High, CVSS 7.5, March 2026)
• CVE-2026-20846: GDI+ Denial of Service Vulnerability (High, CVSS 7.5, February 2026)
• CVE-2025-53766: GDI+ Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Critical, CVSS 9.8, August 2025)
• CVE-2021-34440: GDI+ Information Disclosure Vulnerability (Medium, CVSS 5.5, July 2021)
• CVE-2021-1665: GDI+ Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (High, CVSS 7.8, January 2021)
• CVE-2020-16911: GDI+ Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (High, CVSS 8.8, October 2020)
• CVE-2020-1285: GDI+ Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (High, CVSS 8.4, September 2020)
• CVE-2020-1435: GDI+ Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Medium, CVSS 6.3, July 2020)
• CVE-2020-1248: GDI+ Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (High, CVSS 8.4, June 2020)
• CVE-2020-0964: GDI+ Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (High, CVSS 8, April 2020)
• CVE-2020-0883: GDI+ Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Medium, CVSS 6.7)

More from the March 2020 Patch Tuesday

• CVE-2020-0796: Windows SMBv3 Client/Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Critical, CVSS 10)
• CVE-2020-0788: Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (High, CVSS 7.8)
• CVE-2020-0690: DirectX Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (High, CVSS 7)
• CVE-2020-0877: Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (High, CVSS 7)
• CVE-2020-0887: Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (High, CVSS 7)
• CVE-2020-0832: Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability (Medium, CVSS 6.4)
• CVE-2020-0847: VBScript Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Medium, CVSS 6.4)
• CVE-2020-0684: LNK Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (High, CVSS 8.8)
• CVE-2020-0762: Windows Defender Security Center Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (High, CVSS 7.8)
• CVE-2020-0763: Windows Defender Security Center Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (High, CVSS 7.8)
• CVE-2020-0769: Windows CSC Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (High, CVSS 7.8)
• CVE-2020-0770: Windows ActiveX Installer Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (High, CVSS 7.8)

All vulnerabilities of this release: March 2020 Patch Tuesday

Sources

• Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2020-0881
• NIST NVD: CVE-2020-0881
• CVE.org record: CVE-2020-0881