The EPATHOBJ::pprFlattenRec function in 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 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012 does not properly initialize a pointer for the next object in a certain list, which allows local users to obtain write access to the PATHRECORD chain, and consequently gain privileges, by triggering excessive consumption of paged memory and then making many FlattenPath function calls, aka "Win32k Read AV Vulnerability."
This vulnerability carries a HIGH severity rating with a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8, requiring local system access to exploit with relatively low complexity though user interaction is required and does not require pre-existing privileges . The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (data exposure), integrity (unauthorized modifications), and availability (service disruption) for affected systems. Impacting 8 products from microsoft, from microsoft, from microsoft and 5 others, organizations running these solutions should prioritize assessment and patching.
Documented in 2013, 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.
2013-05-24T20:55:01.903
2025-10-22T01:15:50.803
Deferred
CVSSv3.1: 7.8 (HIGH)
AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
3.4
10.0
| Type | Vendor | Product | Version/Range | Vulnerable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | microsoft | windows_7 | - | Yes |
| Operating System | microsoft | windows_8 | - | Yes |
| Operating System | microsoft | windows_rt | - | Yes |
| Operating System | microsoft | windows_server_2003 | - | Yes |
| Operating System | microsoft | windows_server_2008 | - | Yes |
| Operating System | microsoft | windows_server_2008 | r2 | Yes |
| Operating System | microsoft | windows_server_2012 | - | Yes |
| Operating System | microsoft | windows_vista | - | Yes |
| Operating System | microsoft | windows_xp | - | Yes |
| Operating System | microsoft | windows_xp | - | Yes |
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.