CVE-2011-5046Windows 7 Vulnerability
The Graphics Device Interface (GDI) in win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 does not properly validate user-mode input, which…
Published Dec 30, 2011 · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2011-5046 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.3 v2) affecting Windows 7 (Microsoft), Windows Server 2003 (Microsoft), Windows Server 2008 (Microsoft) and 2 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 45% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Scores
CVSS v2
9.3
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
45%
Higher than 98.7% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
45/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Not listed
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
Public exploit code
2
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
0
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisory47237
Description
The Graphics Device Interface (GDI) in win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 does not properly validate user-mode input, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via crafted data, as demonstrated by a large height attribute of an IFRAME element rendered by Safari, aka "GDI Access Violation Vulnerability."
Affected Products
8 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 7Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows Server 2003Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows Server 2008Microsoft | r2, r2-sp1 | n/a |
| Windows VistaMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows XpMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Dec 30, 2011
Last updated
Apr 28, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-20 Improper Input Validation
References
- advisory47237
- exploitExploitDB-18275
- exploit18275
- other77908
- otherMS12-008
FAQ
Common Questions.
The Graphics Device Interface (GDI) in win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 does not properly validate user-mode input, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrar…
Affected: Windows 7 (Microsoft); Windows Server 2003 (Microsoft); Windows Server 2008 (Microsoft) versions r2, r2-sp1, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Is CVE-2011-5046 On Your Attack Surface?
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