CVE-2020-1054
HighExploitedPublic exploitAn elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Windows kernel-mode driver fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.
Published May 21, 2020 · Updated Oct 8, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2020-1054 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Windows 10 (Microsoft), Windows 10 1507 (Microsoft), Windows 10 1607 (Microsoft) and 22 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Oct 19, 2020. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 54% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Windows 10 Version 1507 publication, Windows 10 Version 1607 publication, Windows 10 Version 1709 publication.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
54%
Higher than 99.0% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2020-1054 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
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.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | May 3, 2022 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Oct 19, 2020 | May 3, 2022 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | May 3, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Nov 3, 2021 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
84 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 10 1507Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 10 1607Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 10 1709Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 10 1803Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
Patched Releases
Windows 10 Version 1507
publication
Windows 10 Version 1607
publication
Windows 10 Version 1709
publication
Windows 10 Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems
publication
Windows 10 Version 1803
publication
Windows 10 Version 1809
publication
Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems
publication
Windows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systems
publication
Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems
publication
Windows 10 Version 1909
publication
Windows 7
publication
Windows 7 Service Pack 1
publication
Windows 8.1
publication
Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
publication
Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)
publication
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
publication
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
publication
Windows Server 2012
publication
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
publication
windows server 2012 R2
publication
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)
publication
Windows Server 2016
publication
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
publication
Windows Server 2019
publication
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
publication
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
May 21, 2020
Added to Industry KEV feed
Oct 19, 2020
Added to CISA KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to CIRCL KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to ENISA EUVD
Nov 3, 2021
Last updated
Oct 8, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write
References
- patchhttps://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1054
- exploithttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160515/Microsoft-Windows-DrawIconEx-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploitMSF cve_2020_1054_drawiconex_lpe.rb
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
FAQ
Common Questions.
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Windows kernel-mode driver fails to properly handle objects in memory.
Affected: Windows 10 (Microsoft); Windows 10 1507 (Microsoft); Windows 10 1607 (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Oct 19, 2020.
Yes. It was added on Nov 3, 2021 with a federal remediation due date of May 3, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Windows 10 Version 1507 publication, Windows 10 Version 1607 publication, Windows 10 Version 1709 publication.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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