CVE-2020-1457
Description
A remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Codecs Library due to an out-of-bounds write when parsing MKV files, requiring user interaction.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
A remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Codecs Library due to an out-of-bounds write when parsing MKV files, requiring user interaction.
Vulnerability
This vulnerability resides in the Microsoft Windows Codecs Library, specifically within the hevcdecoder_store component responsible for parsing MKV files. The issue is an out-of-bounds write caused by insufficient validation of user-supplied data. Affected versions include multiple editions of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019, as well as other Windows platforms where the vulnerable codec is present [1].
Exploitation
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to open a specially crafted MKV file or to visit a malicious web page that triggers the parsing of such a file. No special privileges or network position beyond the ability to deliver the file or page is required. The user interaction is the only prerequisite [1].
Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process. This could lead to full compromise of the affected system, including data disclosure, modification, or destruction, and potential installation of malware [1].
Mitigation
Microsoft released a security update on July 14, 2020, as part of the July 2020 Patch Tuesday, which addresses this vulnerability. Users should apply the update via Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog. No workarounds are documented, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog [1].
AI Insight generated on May 27, 2026. Synthesized from this CVE's description and the cited reference URLs; citations are validated against the source bundle.
Affected products
19- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1709 for 32-bit Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1709 for ARM64-based Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1709 for x64-based Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1803 for 32-bit Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1803 for ARM64-based Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1803 for x64-based Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1809 for ARM64-based Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1909 for 32-bit Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1909 for ARM64-based Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 2004 for 32-bit Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 2004 for ARM64-based Systemsv5Range: unspecified
- Microsoft/Windows 10 Version 2004 for x64-based Systemsv5Range: unspecified
Patches
0No patches discovered yet.
Vulnerability mechanics
No source-code context for this CVE — mechanics is only generated when we can read the actual fix diff. Without that, the four sections (root cause, attack vector, affected code, fix) would be speculation rather than analysis.
References
2- portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1457mitrex_refsource_MISC
- www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1081/mitrex_refsource_MISC
News mentions
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