CVE-2020-14956: In Windows cleaning assistant 3.2, the driver file (AtpKrnl.sys) allows local users to cause a denial of servi

Routine

HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2020-14956 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting windows cleanup assistant. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In Windows cleaning assistant 3.2, the driver file (AtpKrnl.sys) allows local users to cause a denial of service (BSOD) or possibly have unspecified other impact because of not validating input values from IOCtl 0x223CCA.

Why this priority

High severity

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 71%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2020-06-30
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: arswp

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-06-30 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:55 UTCUpdated Record last modified

arswp windows cleanup assistant DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy windows-cleanup-assistant || rpm -q windows-cleanup-assistant || windows-cleanup-assistant --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison windows-cleanup-assistant sudo apt install windows-cleanup-assistant=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.2> sudo apt-mark hold windows-cleanup-assistant

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list windows-cleanup-assistant sudo dnf downgrade windows-cleanup-assistant-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.2> sudo dnf versionlock add windows-cleanup-assistant

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
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-2020-14956?

windows cleanup assistant: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-14956 being exploited?

CVE-2020-14956 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-14956 affect?

CVE-2020-14956 affects windows cleanup assistant. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). In Windows cleaning assistant 3.2, the driver file (AtpKrnl.sys) allows local users to cause a denial of service (BSOD) or possibly have unspecified other impact because of not validating input values from IOCtl 0x223CCA.

How urgent is CVE-2020-14956?

Priority 34/100. High severity

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2020-14957 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE In Windows cleaning assistant 3.2, the driver file (AtpKrnl.sys) allows local users to cause a denial of servi

References

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