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CVE-2019-0859

Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)Used in ransomwareEPSS 4.15%
  1. Published9 Apr 2019
  2. Added to CISA KEV3 Nov 2021
  3. Remediation due3 May 2022
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

Microsoft Win32k fails to properly handle objects in memory causing privilege escalation. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to run code in kernel mode.

Added to KEV: 3 Nov 2021Federal remediation due: 3 May 2022Used in ransomware

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka 'Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0685, CVE-2019-0803.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredLow
User interactionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Microsoft Windows 10 1507all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1607all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1703all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1709all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1803all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1809all versions
Microsoft Windows 7all versions
Microsoft Windows 8.1all versions
Microsoft Windows Rt 8.1all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 1709all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 1803all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2008r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2012r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2016all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2019all versions

Remediation

No fixed version is recorded in the NVD data. Check the vendor advisory for the latest guidance.

References

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2019-0859 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2019-0859 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 3 Nov 2021. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.

How severe is CVE-2019-0859?

CVE-2019-0859 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 4.15% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2019-0859?

Affected products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1703, Microsoft Windows 10 1709, Microsoft Windows 10 1803, and 10 more.

How do I fix CVE-2019-0859?

Apply the vendor's patch or advisory guidance, then verify no affected versions remain across your devices.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2019-0859 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, Secuno flags any affected asset as top-priority automatically. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.