# CVE-2020-1027: Microsoft Windows Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-1027-microsoft-windows-kernel-privilege-escalation-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-05-23. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2020-1027 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-05-23

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Windows Kernel due to improper handling of objects in memory, specifically involving an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787). A local attacker with low privileges could exploit this to execute code with elevated permissions. This vulnerability has been observed being exploited in the wild.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2020-1027 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2020-1027 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 23 May 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2020-1027?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 23 May 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1; Microsoft Windows 8.1; Microsoft Windows RT 8.1; Microsoft Windows 10 1507, 1607, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909; and 5 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2020-1027?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2020-1027 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2020-1027?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows. 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 7 Service Pack 1
- Microsoft Windows 8.1
- Microsoft Windows RT 8.1
- Microsoft Windows 10 1507, 1607, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2, R2 Service Pack 1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Gold, R2
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019
- Microsoft Windows Server versions 1803, 1903, 1909

## Timeline

- 2020-04-15: advisory: Initial MSRC advisory publication
- 2022-05-23: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2022-08-11: other: Public exploit code released on Packet Storm Security

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