PatchTheCVECVE-2020-0796: Microsoft SMBv3 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2020-0796 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting windows 10 1903, windows 10 1909, windows server 1903, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Microsoft Server Message Block 3.1.1 (SMBv3) protocol handles certain requests, aka 'Windows SMBv3 Client/Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
- Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Used in ransomware campaigns
- Public exploit reference
- CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 10.0 (Critical) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 99.8% (top 1%) |
| CISA exploited list | Yes, fix due 2022-08-10, used in ransomware |
| Weakness | CWE-119 |
| Published | 2020-03-12 |
| Last modified | 2026-10-01 |
Last updated 2026-10-01 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
- Updated Record last modified
Exact fixes by distribution
Public exploits and detection
Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.
- GitHub PoC: danigargu/CVE-2020-0796 (1358 stars)
- GitHub PoC: ly4k/SMBGhost (722 stars)
- Exploit-DB: Microsoft Windows 10 (1903/1909) - 'SMBGhost' SMB3.1.1 'SMB2_COMPRESSION_CAPABILITIES' Buffer Overflow (PoC)
- Exploit-DB: Microsoft Windows 10 (1903/1909) - 'SMBGhost' SMB3.1.1 'SMB2_COMPRESSION_CAPABILITIES' Local Privilege Escalation
- Exploit-DB: Microsoft Windows - 'SMBGhost' Remote Code Execution
- Metasploit: SMBv3 Compression Buffer Overflow
- Metasploit: SMBv3 Compression Buffer Overflow
- Nuclei scan template: Microsoft SMBv3 - Remote Code Execution
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2020-0796?
windows 10 1903: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; windows 10 1909: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; windows server 1903: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2020-0796 being exploited?
Yes. CVE-2020-0796 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.
What does CVE-2020-0796 affect?
CVE-2020-0796 affects windows 10 1903, windows 10 1909, windows server 1903. Severity is critical (CVSS 10.0). A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Microsoft Server Message Block 3.1.1 (SMBv3) protocol handles certain requests, aka 'Windows SMBv3 Client/Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.
How urgent is CVE-2020-0796?
Priority 100/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Used in ransomware campaigns; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
Windows vulnerabilities · Windows Server vulnerabilities
Related CVEs
- CVE-2020-1054 HIGH 7.0 EXPLOITED MITIGATE MITIGATE Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
- CVE-2020-0787 HIGH 7.8 EXPLOITED MITIGATE MITIGATE Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) Improper Privilege Management Vulnerability
- CVE-2020-0638 HIGH 7.8 EXPLOITED MITIGATE MITIGATE Microsoft Update Notification Manager Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
- CVE-2019-1405 HIGH 7.8 EXPLOITED MITIGATE MITIGATE Microsoft Windows Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) Service Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
- CVE-2019-1385 HIGH 7.8 EXPLOITED MITIGATE MITIGATE Microsoft Windows AppX Deployment Extensions Privilege Escalation Vulnerability