# CVE-2013-3660: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2013-3660-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-03-28. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

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](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/win32k). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/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.

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-0165-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32K Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-29336-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2015-2360-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-8589-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2014-4113-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)