CVE-2013-3660: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2013-3660 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-03-28

The EPATHOBJ::pprFlattenRec function in win32k.sys in the Microsoft Windows kernel-mode drivers fails to properly initialize a pointer for the next object in a list. Local attackers can exploit this by triggering excessive paged memory consumption and calling the FlattenPath function to obtain write access to the PATHRECORD chain, leading to elevation of privileges.

Technologies: Microsoft Win32K. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2013-3660 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2013-3660 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 28 March 2022. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2013-3660?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 28 March 2022.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows XP SP2, SP3; Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2; Microsoft Windows Vista SP2; Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2 SP1; and 3 more.
Is there a fix for CVE-2013-3660?
A patch was published on 2013-07-09: Microsoft released security bulletin MS13-053 to address the vulnerability. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2013-3660 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2013-3660?
Check whether you run Microsoft Win32K. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows XP SP2, SP3
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2
  • Microsoft Windows Vista SP2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2 SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 7 SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 8
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012

Timeline

  • 2013-05-17: disclosed: Initial public disclosure via social media and mailing lists.
  • 2013-07-09: patched: Microsoft released security bulletin MS13-053 to address the vulnerability.
  • 2022-03-28: kev added: Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.

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