CVE-2020-0878
Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability
Published Sep 11, 2020 · corrected/updated Jun 16, 2026 · microsoft internet explorer · evidence confidence very high
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft browsers access objects in memory. The vulnerability could corrupt memory in a way that could allow 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, the 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. An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit the vulnerability through Microsoft browsers, and then convince a user to view the website. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites, or websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements, by adding specially crafted content that could exploit the vulnerability. In all cases, however, 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 via an enticement in email or instant message, or by getting them to open an email attachment. The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how Microsoft browsers handle objects in memory.
Grounded briefings
Catalog interpretations for three audiences. Each brief cites ingested metadata and the original advisories below. They are not independent research and they do not invent exploit steps.
Executive
CVE-2020-0878 is a medium public vulnerability record for microsoft internet explorer. CISA lists it as known exploited. Published remediation guidance: Apply updates per vendor instructions. This summary is a catalog interpretation of the ingested metadata and cites the original advisories below.
System administrator
Identify whether microsoft internet explorer is in your estate, then compare installed versions with the affected ranges. Affected packages or ranges on record: microsoft/chakracore; microsoft/edge; microsoft/internet explorer (11); microsoft/internet explorer (9). Published remediation guidance: Apply updates per vendor instructions. Prefer the vendor or distribution advisory linked in Sources before changing production systems. This is a catalog interpretation, not a runbook.
Security analyst
Signals on file: CVSS 4.2, EPSS 2.7%. CISA lists it as known exploited. Weakness classes: CWE-787. Sources contributing to this record: cisa_kev, cve_org, epss, nvd. Public exploit references, when present, are outbound links only and are not proof of active exploitation. This is a catalog interpretation of stored metadata.
Exploitation and remediation
Exploitation evidence
Confirmed in CISA KEV since Nov 3, 2021. Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Patch and remediation
Apply updates per vendor instructions. CISA due date May 3, 2022.
Safe detection guidance
Compare installed versions with the affected ranges below and verify the advisory from the original publisher. This site stores metadata and outbound links only; it does not ship exploit code or proof-of-concept payloads.
Code
The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.
No public source repository is identified for this product.
Timeline
Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.
Sep 11, 2020 · Catalog
Detected
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft browsers access objects in memory. The vulnerability could corrupt memory in a way that could allow 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 adminis
Nov 3, 2021 · CISA KEV
Known exploited
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
May 3, 2022 · CISA KEV
Remediation due
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Jun 16, 2026 · Catalog
Updated
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft browsers access objects in memory. The vulnerability could corrupt memory in a way that could allow 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 adminis
Affected
- cpe microsoft/chakracoreversion unspecified
- cpe microsoft/edgeversion unspecified
- cpe microsoft/internet explorer11
- cpe microsoft/internet explorer9
- vendor Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorerversion unspecified
Sources
- CISA KEVConfirmed exploitationCVE-2020-0878
Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer contain a memory corruption vulnerability that allows attackers to execute code in the context of the current user.
cisa.gov - CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2020-0878
Official CVE identifier
cve.org - FIRST EPSSExploitation probabilityCVE-2020-0878
30-day exploitation probability 2.7%
first.org - NIST NVDVulnerability recordCVE-2020-0878
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft browsers access objects in memory. The vulnerability could corrupt memory in a way that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. An attacker who successfully exp
nvd.nist.gov