CVE-2019-0859 Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation
Attackers can exploit a Win32k memory handling flaw to gain elevated privileges on Windows systems.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 3 Nov 2021
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2019-0859?
CVE-2019-0859 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507, published on 9 Apr 2019. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0685, CVE-2019-0803.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2019-0859?
It affects 15 products.
Products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1703, Microsoft Windows 10 1709, Microsoft Windows 10 1803, Microsoft Windows 10 1809 and 9 more.
How do I fix CVE-2019-0859?
No fix has been published for CVE-2019-0859 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 3 May 2022.
Is CVE-2019-0859 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2019-0859 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021, including in ransomware campaigns.
Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10 1507
- CVE-2017-8543 Microsoft Windows Search Remote Code Execution
- CVE-2025-33053 Microsoft Windows External Control of File Name or Path
- CVE-2025-33073 Microsoft Windows SMB Client Improper Access Control
- CVE-2024-49039 Microsoft Windows Task Scheduler Privilege Escalation
- CVE-2024-43461 Microsoft Windows MSHTML Platform Spoofing
Sources
Also known as GHSA-vgp9-2hhf-fp9r.