CVE-2021-40449: Microsoft Windows Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
CVE-2021-40449 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-17
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows Win32k component (specifically involving NtGdiResetDC) allows an authenticated local attacker to escalate privileges. The vulnerability has been observed being exploited in the wild.
Yes. CVE-2021-40449 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 17 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2021-40449?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 17 November 2021.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows 10 up to (excluding) 10.0.10240.19086; Microsoft Windows 11 up to (excluding) 10.0.22000.258; Microsoft Windows Server 2022 up to (excluding) 10.0.20348.288; Microsoft Windows 7 SP1; and 5 more.
Is there a fix for CVE-2021-40449?
A patch was published on 2021-11-17. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2021-40449 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2021-40449?
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 10 up to (excluding) 10.0.10240.19086
Microsoft Windows 11 up to (excluding) 10.0.22000.258
Microsoft Windows Server 2022 up to (excluding) 10.0.20348.288
Microsoft Windows 7 SP1
Microsoft Windows 8.1
Microsoft Windows Server 2008
Microsoft Windows Server 2012
Microsoft Windows Server 2016
Microsoft Windows Server 2019
Timeline
2021-11-17: disclosed
2021-11-17: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog