CVE-2019-0859
KEVRansomware UseMicrosoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Description
Microsoft Win32k fails to properly handle objects in memory causing privilege escalation. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to run code in kernel mode.
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 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HPublishedApr 9, 2019
Last modifiedJun 17, 2026
Added to KEVNov 3, 2021
Remediation dueMay 3, 2022
References
- portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-0859PatchVendor Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-0859US Government Resource
0 recent articles mention this CVE
79
Risk assessment · High
Actively exploited and used by ransomware crews. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1638 days
- Ransomware
- Used in known ransomware campaigns
- CVSS
- 7.8 HIGH
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 4.2% · top 9% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- NVD-CWE-noinfo
Recommended actions
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
- 4.Verify offline/immutable backups and segment the affected systems. This flaw is used for ransomware initial access.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.