CVE-2020-1054 Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation
An attacker with local access can exploit a memory handling flaw in the Windows kernel driver to execute arbitrary code and gain full system privileges.
- 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-2020-1054?
CVE-2020-1054 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507, published on 21 May 2020. 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 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.
Weakness: CWE-787
Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-1054?
It affects 17 products.
Products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1709, Microsoft Windows 10 1803, Microsoft Windows 10 1809, Microsoft Windows 10 1903 and 11 more.
How do I fix CVE-2020-1054?
No fix has been published for CVE-2020-1054 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 3 May 2022.
Is CVE-2020-1054 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2020-1054 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021.
Public exploit code: 1 Metasploit module and 4 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-5qfv-hvxp-fg32.