Kernel-mode code execution via mishandled GDI objects
Published May 21, 2020 · Updated Aug 19, 2026
Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows GDI allows local users to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode through a crafted application. GDI mishandles objects in memory, but Microsoft has not published the affected function, object type, or precise memory operation. Exploitation requires an existing logon and local application execution; success grants kernel-level control over programs, data, and accounts.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows GDI allows local users to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode through a crafted application. GDI mishandles objects in memory, but Microsoft has not published the affected function, object type, or precise memory operation. Exploitation requires an existing logon and local application execution; success grants kernel-level control over programs, data, and accounts.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2020-1142
- Published
- May 21, 2020
- Updated
- Aug 19, 2026
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Windows Server 2019
- Classifications
- CWE-269, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 21, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- 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=10.0.17763.0 <publication
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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