CVE-2020-1135 Windows Graphics Component Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

High 7.8 Published 21 May 2020 Updated 19 Aug 2026

A local attacker can exploit improper memory handling in the Windows Graphics Component to execute code with elevated privileges.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2020-1135?

CVE-2020-1135 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10, 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 when the Windows Graphics Component improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run processes in an elevated context. In a local attack scenario, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability by running a specially crafted application to take control over the affected system. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way in which the Microsoft Graphics Component handles objects in memory and preventing unintended elevation from user mode.

Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-1135?

It affects 3 products.

Products include Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Windows Server 2019.

How do I fix CVE-2020-1135?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-1135 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Is CVE-2020-1135 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-1135 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Microsoft Windows 10 vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-q56x-p6gm-chwq.