CVE-2021-40450 Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation
An attacker can exploit a flaw in the Win32k component to elevate privileges on affected Windows systems.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 25 Apr 2022
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2021-40450?
CVE-2021-40450 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1809, published on 13 Oct 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-40450?
It affects 10 products.
Products include Microsoft Windows 10 1809, Microsoft Windows 10 1909, Microsoft Windows 10 2004, Microsoft Windows 10 20h2, Microsoft Windows 10 21h1, Microsoft Windows 11 21h2 and 4 more.
How do I fix CVE-2021-40450?
No fix has been published for CVE-2021-40450 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 16 May 2022.
Is CVE-2021-40450 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-40450 in the wild since at least 25 Apr 2022.
Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10 1809
- CVE-2024-29988 Microsoft SmartScreen Prompt Security Feature Bypass
- CVE-2024-21412 Microsoft Windows Internet Shortcut Files Security Feature Bypass
- CVE-2025-62221 Microsoft Windows Use After Free
- CVE-2025-30400 Microsoft Windows DWM Core Library Use-After-Free
- CVE-2024-21338 Microsoft Windows Kernel Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control
Sources
Also known as GHSA-v7qc-rhmv-f6j4.