Microsoft Windows Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

HIGH 7.8EXPLOITED (CISA KEV)CVE-2021-40449 · Published 13/10/2021 · updated 17/06/2026

Microsoft Windows Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. Actively exploited: CISA added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 17/11/2021. Patch affected systems as an emergency. It is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.

Package	Affected versions	Patched versions
Windows Microsoft	Versions not published yet (product named by CISA KEV)

Description

Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

References

packetstormsecurity.com/files/164926/Win32k-NtGdiResetDC-Use-After-Free-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html · Exploit
portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-40449 · Patch
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog · US Government Resource
CISA KEV · CVE-2021-40449

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