Microsoft · Windows
CVE-2020-0601
Microsoft Windows CryptoAPI Spoofing Vulnerability
What it is
A spoofing vulnerability exists in the way Windows CryptoAPI (Crypt32.dll) validates Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) certificates.An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by using a spoofed code-signing certificate to sign a malicious executable, making it appear the file was from a trusted, legitimate source, aka 'Windows CryptoAPI Spoofing Vulnerability'.
CISA: Microsoft Windows CryptoAPI (Crypt32.dll) contains a spoofing vulnerability in the way it validates Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) certificates. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by using a spoofed code-signing certificate to sign a malicious executable, making it appear the file was from a trusted, legitimate source. A successful exploit could also allow the attacker to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks and decrypt confidential information on user connections to the affected software. The vulnerability is also known under the moniker of CurveBall.
What to do
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Deadline for US federal agencies: May 3, 2022
- Added to the CISA list
- November 3, 2021
- Published
- January 14, 2020
- Severity
- High 8.1 CVSS 3.1
- Chance of attacks in the next 30 days (EPSS)
- 89% in the top 0.2% of all known vulnerabilities
- Weakness
- CWE-295
- More details
- NVD · CVE.org · CISA
All references (3)
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0601
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/155961/CurveBall-Microsoft-Windows-CryptoAPI-Spoofing-Proof-Of-Concept.h…
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/155960/CurveBall-Microsoft-Windows-CryptoAPI-Spoofing-Proof-Of-Concept.h…
More exploited flaws from Microsoft
| Added | Vulnerability | Product | Severity | Attack chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13, 2026 | Command Injection | Windows | High 8.8 | 9.8% |
| Sep 8, 2026 | Link Following | Windows | High 7.8 | 0.4% |
| Sep 8, 2026 | Heap-Based Buffer Overflow | Windows | High 7.8 | 0.4% |
| May 20, 2026 | Buffer Overflow | Windows | Critical 9.8 | 99% |
| Apr 28, 2026 | Protection Mechanism Failure | Windows | Medium 4.3 | 71% |
| Apr 13, 2026 | Out-of-Bounds Read | Windows | High 7.8 | 12% |
| Apr 13, 2026 | Link Following | Windows | High 7.8 | 4.6% |
| Feb 17, 2026 | Microsoft Windows Video ActiveX Control Remote Code Execution | Windows | High 8.8 | 77% |
Sources: Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (CISA, public domain), CVE records (cve.org) and EPSS (FIRST). The chance of attacks is the EPSS estimate that someone will try to exploit the flaw in the next 30 days.