SYSTEM privilege escalation via Win32k use-after-free
Published Jan 9, 2024 · Updated Jun 3, 2025
A use-after-free in Microsoft Windows Win32k allows local users with low privileges to gain SYSTEM privileges through local execution. Microsoft identifies Win32k and CWE-416 but has not disclosed the freed object, responsible function, or operation performed after release. Exploitation requires prior local low-privilege access; success grants complete control as SYSTEM, while the memory-corruption trigger can also destabilize the host.
Summary
What happened
A use-after-free in Microsoft Windows Win32k allows local users with low privileges to gain SYSTEM privileges through local execution. Microsoft identifies Win32k and CWE-416 but has not disclosed the freed object, responsible function, or operation performed after release. Exploitation requires prior local low-privilege access; success grants complete control as SYSTEM, while the memory-corruption trigger can also destabilize the host.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-20683
- Published
- Jan 9, 2024
- Updated
- Jun 3, 2025
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Windows 10 Version 1507
- Classifications
- CWE-416, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 9, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jun 3, 2025Record 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 <10.0.10240.20402
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
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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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