# CVE-2020-0636: Windows Subsystem for Linux Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

CVE-2020-0636 is fixed in 8 products on 1 platform, first by KB4528760, released January 14, 2020. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: High.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-0636
- Priority: High
- CVSS: 7.8 (Important)
- EPSS: 0.0088
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Vendor exploitability assessment: Exploitation Less Likely
- Published: Jan 14, 2020
- Vendor advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-0636

## Description

<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Subsystem for Linux handles files. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could execute code with elevated privileges.</p> <p>To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would first need code execution on a victim system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows Subsystem for Linux handles files.</p>

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems |  | [KB4528760](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4528760.md) | Jan 14, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systems |  | [KB4528760](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4528760.md) | Jan 14, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems |  | [KB4528760](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4528760.md) | Jan 14, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1909 for 32-bit Systems |  | [KB4528760](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4528760.md) | Jan 14, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1909 for ARM64-based Systems |  | [KB4528760](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4528760.md) | Jan 14, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based Systems |  | [KB4528760](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4528760.md) | Jan 14, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation) |  | [KB4528760](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4528760.md) | Jan 14, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server, version 1909 (Server Core installation) |  | [KB4528760](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4528760.md) | Jan 14, 2020 |

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Data as of 2026-11-08T00:53:09Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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