CVE-2020-1054
Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1709
Published 21 May 2020 · updated 7 Oct 2026 · Modified
Exploited in the wild
CISA added this to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 3 Nov 2021, with a remediation deadline of 3 May 2022 for US federal agencies.
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
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.
References
- msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-1054 · Patch, Vendor Advisory
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/160515/Microsoft-Windows-DrawIconEx-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html · Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1054 · Patch, Vendor Advisory
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-1054 · US Government Resource