CVE-2020-1054
Published 2020-05-21 · Updated 2026-08-19 · Source secure@microsoft.com
Description
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Windows kernel-mode driver fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in kernel mode. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerability and take control of an affected system. The update addresses this vulnerability by correcting how the Windows kernel-mode driver handles objects in memory.
CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CISA Known-Exploited Vulnerability
Product: Microsoft — Win32k
Name: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Date added: 2021-11-03 · Due: 2022-05-03
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
References
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-1054
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160515/Microsoft-Windows-DrawIconEx-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1054
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-1054

