CVE-2017-0263: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2017-0263 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Use After Free vulnerability in Microsoft Win32k. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 10-02-2022. EPSS estimates a 10.03% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 95.5% of scored vulnerabilities. 2 public exploits are recorded.

Timeline

1. 12-05-2017
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 10-02-2022
   Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
3. 10-08-2022
   CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
4. 21-10-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

The kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allow local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

• CWE-416Use After FreeThe product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.