# CVE-2020-1012: WinINet API Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

CVE-2020-1012 is fixed in 32 products on 1 platform, first by KB4577015, released September 8, 2020. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: High.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-1012
- Priority: High
- CVSS: 8.8 (Important)
- EPSS: 0.0374
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Vendor exploitability assessment: Exploitation Less Likely
- Published: Sep 8, 2020
- Vendor advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-1012

## Description

<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Wininit.dll handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could execute code with elevated permissions.</p> <p>There are multiple ways an attacker could exploit the vulnerability:</p> <ul> <li><p>In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability and then convince a user 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 message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email.</p> </li> <li><p>In a file sharing attack scenario, an attacker could provide a specially crafted document file that is designed to exploit this vulnerability, and then convince a user to open the document file.</p> </li> </ul> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by ensuring the Wininit.dll properly handles objects in memory.</p>

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems | 14393.3930 | [KB4577015](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577015.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems | 14393.3930 | [KB4577015](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577015.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems | 16299.2107 | [KB4577041](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577041.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1709 for ARM64-based Systems | 16299.2107 | [KB4577041](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577041.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1709 for x64-based Systems | 16299.2107 | [KB4577041](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577041.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1803 for 32-bit Systems | 17134.1726 | [KB4577032](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577032.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1803 for ARM64-based Systems | 17134.1726 | [KB4577032](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577032.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1803 for x64-based Systems | 17134.1726 | [KB4577032](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577032.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems | 17763.1457 | [KB4570333](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4570333.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1809 for ARM64-based Systems | 17763.1457 | [KB4570333](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4570333.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems | 17763.1457 | [KB4570333](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4570333.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems |  | [KB4574727](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4574727.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systems |  | [KB4574727](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4574727.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems |  | [KB4574727](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4574727.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1909 for 32-bit Systems |  | [KB4574727](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4574727.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1909 for ARM64-based Systems |  | [KB4574727](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4574727.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based Systems |  | [KB4574727](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4574727.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 2004 for 32-bit Systems | 19041.508 | [KB4571756](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4571756.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 2004 for ARM64-based Systems | 19041.508 | [KB4571756](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4571756.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 Version 2004 for x64-based Systems | 19041.508 | [KB4571756](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4571756.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems | 10240.18696 | [KB4577049](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577049.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10 for x64-based Systems | 10240.18696 | [KB4577049](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577049.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 |  | [KB4577051](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577051.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 |  | [KB4577010](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577010.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 |  | [KB4577051](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577051.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 |  | [KB4577010](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577010.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1 for 32-bit systems |  | [KB4577066](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577066.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1 for 32-bit systems |  | [KB4577010](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577010.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1 for x64-based systems |  | [KB4577066](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577066.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1 for x64-based systems |  | [KB4577010](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577010.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows RT 8.1 |  | [KB4577066](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577066.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 |  | [KB4577051](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577051.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 |  | [KB4577010](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577010.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows Server 2012 |  | [KB4577038](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577038.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows Server 2012 |  | [KB4577010](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577010.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows Server 2012 R2 |  | [KB4577066](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577066.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows Server 2012 R2 |  | [KB4577010](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577010.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows Server 2016 | 14393.3930 | [KB4577015](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4577015.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Microsoft | Internet Explorer 11 on Windows Server 2019 | 17763.1457 | [KB4570333](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4570333.md) | Sep 8, 2020 |

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Data as of 2026-11-07T06:34:28Z 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