Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

[ Why it matters ]Priority signals

• Exploited in the wild: on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list since 2022-03-03
• Known to be used in ransomware campaigns
• EPSS: 56% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (higher than 99% of CVEs)

[ Description ]Official description

Win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP2, and Server 2008 SP2 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, as exploited in the wild in April 2015, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

CISA: An unspecified vulnerability exists in the Win32k.sys kernel-mode driver in Microsoft Windows Server that allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

[ Fixes ]Fixes and patches

CISA required action (US federal deadline 24 Mar 2022): Apply updates per vendor instructions.

• Patch on docs.microsoft.comVendor patch or bulletin · NVD · Reference tagged 'Patch' by NVD

[ References ]References

• seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/34Broken LinkMailing ListThird Party Advisory
• twitter.com/symantec/statuses/590208710527549440Press/Media Coverage
• www.securityfocus.com/bid/74245Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
• www.securitytracker.com/id/1032155Broken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
• docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-051PatchVendor Advisory
• www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37049ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
• www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37367ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
• www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2015/04/probable_apt28_useo.htmlThird Party Advisory
• www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalogUS Government Resource