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CVE-2011-1985


win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 does not properly validate user-mode input, which allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Null Pointer De-reference Vulnerability."


Security Impact Summary

This vulnerability carries a HIGH severity rating with a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.1, requiring local system access to exploit with relatively low complexity without requiring user interaction requiring only low-level privileges . The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (data exposure), and availability (service disruption) for affected systems. Impacting 6 products from microsoft, from microsoft, from microsoft and 3 others, organizations running these solutions should prioritize assessment and patching.

Historical Context

Documented in 2011, this vulnerability occurred amid the cloud computing expansion era, where traditional network perimeter security models were being reevaluated. Organizations were transitioning from isolated infrastructure to interconnected systems, creating new attack surfaces that vulnerabilities like this could exploit.


Published

2011-10-12T02:52:43.457

Last Modified

2025-04-11T00:51:21.963

Status

Deferred

Source

[email protected]

Severity

CVSSv3.1: 7.1 (HIGH)

CVSSv2 Vector

AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

  • Access Vector: LOCAL
  • Access Complexity: LOW
  • Authentication: NONE
  • Confidentiality Impact: COMPLETE
  • Integrity Impact: COMPLETE
  • Availability Impact: COMPLETE
Exploitability Score

3.9

Impact Score

10.0

Weaknesses
  • Type: Primary
    NVD-CWE-Other
  • Type: Secondary
    CWE-476

Affected Vendors & Products
Type Vendor Product Version/Range Vulnerable?
Operating System microsoft windows_2003_server * Yes
Operating System microsoft windows_7 - Yes
Operating System microsoft windows_7 - Yes
Operating System microsoft windows_7 - Yes
Operating System microsoft windows_server_2003 * Yes
Operating System microsoft windows_server_2008 * Yes
Operating System microsoft windows_server_2008 * Yes
Operating System microsoft windows_server_2008 - Yes
Operating System microsoft windows_server_2008 r2 Yes
Operating System microsoft windows_server_2008 r2 Yes
Operating System microsoft windows_vista * Yes
Operating System microsoft windows_xp * Yes
Operating System microsoft windows_xp - Yes

References

How SecUtils Interprets This CVE

SecUtils normalizes and enriches National Vulnerability Database (NVD) records by standardizing vendor and product identifiers, aggregating vulnerability metadata from both NVD and MITRE sources, and providing structured context for security teams. For microsoft's affected products, we extract Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) data, Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classifications, CVSS severity metrics, and reference data to enable rapid vulnerability prioritization and asset correlation. This record contains no exploit code, proof-of-concept instructions, or attack methodologies—only defensive intelligence necessary for patch management, risk assessment, and security operations.