Kernel code execution via DrawIconEx out-of-bounds write
Published May 21, 2020 · Updated Aug 19, 2026
Out-of-bounds write in Win32k on affected Microsoft Windows releases allows local users to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode. Crafted bitmap dimensions and DrawIconEx arguments drive win32k!vStrWrite01 past its destination and permit controlled writes into a SURFOBJ. Exploitation requires an authenticated local session and a specially crafted application, after which code runs with SYSTEM-level control.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds write in Win32k on affected Microsoft Windows releases allows local users to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode. Crafted bitmap dimensions and DrawIconEx arguments drive win32k!vStrWrite01 past its destination and permit controlled writes into a SURFOBJ. Exploitation requires an authenticated local session and a specially crafted application, after which code runs with SYSTEM-level control.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2020-1054
- Published
- May 21, 2020
- Updated
- Aug 19, 2026
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Windows 10 Version 1507
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 21, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Nov 3, 2021Exploitation reportedCISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities listing
- Aug 19, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=10.0.10240.0 <publication
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Public exploit references
- Microsoft Windows DrawIconEx OOB Write Local Privilege Elevationfunctional · validated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Reported exploitation
- Raspberry Robin Roshtyak exploitationreported exploitation
- Purple Fox exploit-chain useexploit chain
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities listingknown exploited catalog
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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