PatchTheCVECVE-2020-1054: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
CVE-2020-1054 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.0) affecting windows 10 1507, windows 10 1607, windows 10 1709, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
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
Why this priority
- High severity
- EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
- Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Public exploit reference
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.0 (High) |
| Attack vector | Local |
| Attack complexity | High |
| Privileges needed | Low |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 53.9% (top 1%) |
| CISA exploited list | Yes, fix due 2022-05-03 |
| Weakness | CWE-787 |
| Published | 2020-05-21 |
| Last modified | 2026-10-08 |
Last updated 2026-10-08 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
- Updated Record last modified
Exact fixes by distribution
Public exploits and detection
Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.
- GitHub PoC: 0xeb-bp/cve-2020-1054 (87 stars)
- GitHub PoC: KaLendsi/CVE-2020-1054 (20 stars)
- GitHub PoC: Iamgublin/CVE-2020-1054 (4 stars)
- GitHub PoC: Graham382/CVE-2020-1054
- Metasploit: Microsoft Windows DrawIconEx OOB Write Local Privilege Elevation
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2020-1054?
windows 10 1507: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; windows 10 1607: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; windows 10 1709: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2020-1054 being exploited?
Yes. CVE-2020-1054 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.
What does CVE-2020-1054 affect?
CVE-2020-1054 affects windows 10 1507, windows 10 1607, windows 10 1709. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). 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
How urgent is CVE-2020-1054?
Priority 84/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Public exploit reference; On your watchlist
Software pages
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