Is CVE-2020-7279 actively exploited?

No active exploitation of CVE-2020-7279 has been confirmed so far. Continue monitoring, as exploit status can change.

Can CVE-2020-7279 be exploited remotely?

No. CVE-2020-7279 requires local access to exploit.

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-7279?

CVE-2020-7279 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH).

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HIGH

CVE-2020-7279

CWE-426Published: June 10, 2020· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

7.8

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

DLL Search Order Hijacking Vulnerability in the installer component of McAfee Host Intrusion Prevention System (Host IPS) for Windows prior to 8.0.0 Patch 15 Update allows attackers with local access to execute arbitrary code via execution from a compromised folder.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2020-7279 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.

Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 7.8.