CVEs / CVE-2020-1054

CVE-2020-1054: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

• Known exploited in the CISA KEV catalog since 3 Nov 2021
• high 7 CVSS 3.1 (from the CNA)
• EPSS 53.8% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 98% of CVEs (30 Oct 2026)
• Last changed at its sources 8 Oct 2026

Summary

Microsoft Win32k contains a privilege escalation vulnerability when the Windows kernel-mode driver fails to properly handle objects in memory. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute code in kernel mode.

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.

Affected and fixed versions

Exploitation

Severity

References

• CVE-2020-1054 on NVD
• CVE-2020-1054 in the CISA KEV catalog
• https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-1054 Patch, Vendor Advisory
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160515/Microsoft-Windows-DrawIconEx-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
• https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1054 Patch, Vendor Advisory
• https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-1054 US Government Resource