CVE-2014-4113
Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2014-4113 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Microsoft Win32k, a core Windows kernel-mode driver responsible for handling graphical user interface elements. This unspecified vulnerability allows a local attacker to elevate their privileges to SYSTEM level, gaining complete control over the affected Windows system. The Win32k vulnerability has been actively exploited in targeted attacks, prompting CISA to add CVE-2014-4113 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of May 25, 2022. With an EPSS percentile of approximately 99%, this vulnerability is among the most likely to be exploited, reflecting the widespread availability of exploit code and the critical nature of kernel-level privilege escalation.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft | windows 7 | - |
| microsoft | windows 8 | - |
| microsoft | windows 8.1 | - |
| microsoft | windows rt | - |
| microsoft | windows rt 8.1 | - |
| microsoft | windows server 2003 | - |
| microsoft | windows server 2008 | -; r2 |
| microsoft | windows server 2012 | -; r2 |
| microsoft | windows vista | - |
References
- http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/an-analysis-of-a-windows-kernel-mode-vulnerability-cve-2014-4113/(Exploit, Not Applicable)
- http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2014/10/14/accessing-risk-for-the-october-2014-security-updates.aspx(Not Applicable, Vendor Advisory)
- http://osvdb.org/show/osvdb/113167(Broken Link)
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/131964/Windows-8.0-8.1-x64-TrackPopupMenu-Privilege-Escalation.html(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://secunia.com/advisories/60970(Broken Link)
- http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/35101(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/70364(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2014/ms14-058(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- https://github.com/sam-b/CVE-2014-4113(Third Party Advisory)
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37064/(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39666/(Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2014-4113(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
Privilege Escalation in Win32k
The vulnerability in Microsoft Win32k involves an unspecified flaw in the kernel-mode driver that allows a local attacker to escalate privileges. Win32k processes user-mode requests for graphical operations, and flaws in its input validation or object handling can be abused to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode, granting the attacker SYSTEM-level access.
Learn more: CWE-269 — Improper Privilege Management
Impact Analysis
CVE-2014-4113 represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability in the Microsoft Win32k kernel-mode driver. The vulnerability requires local access to the system, meaning an attacker must first obtain a foothold on the target machine, but no special privileges beyond a standard user account are needed to trigger the exploit. Once exploited, the attacker gains SYSTEM-level privileges, which is the highest privilege level on Windows systems, enabling complete control over the operating system including the ability to install programs, modify or delete any data, and create new accounts with full administrative rights. The EPSS percentile of approximately 99% indicates near-certain exploitation activity, and this vulnerability is commonly chained with remote code execution vulnerabilities to achieve full system compromise from a remote attack vector. The confirmed inclusion in CISA's KEV catalog further validates that this Win32k privilege escalation is actively used by threat actors in real-world operations.
Exploit Maturity
CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2014-4113 in the wild by including it in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of May 25, 2022. The EPSS percentile of approximately 99% indicates near-certain exploitation activity, placing this vulnerability at the very top of actively exploited flaws. This Win32k privilege escalation vulnerability has been widely used in targeted attacks, often chained with remote code execution vulnerabilities to achieve full system compromise from an initial access vector. The maturity of available exploits and the long time since disclosure make this a well-understood and reliably exploitable vulnerability.
Remediation
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Apply Microsoft security updates immediately as directed by CISA: "Apply updates per vendor instructions." Install the relevant Windows security patches that address the Win32k privilege escalation vulnerability across all affected Windows versions.
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Audit and update all Windows systems in your environment to identify any machines still running without the CVE-2014-4113 patch. Given the age of this vulnerability (2014), focus on legacy systems that may have been overlooked in previous patch cycles or systems rebuilt from unpatched images.
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Implement least privilege principles to minimize the impact of local privilege escalation attacks. Restrict standard user permissions, use Group Policy to limit access to sensitive system resources, and deploy application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized executables from running.
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Monitor for privilege escalation indicators by enabling advanced audit logging for process creation events, monitoring for unexpected SYSTEM-level processes spawned by standard user sessions, and deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that can detect Win32k exploitation patterns.
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Segment and isolate critical systems to limit lateral movement opportunities for attackers who achieve privilege escalation. Implement network micro-segmentation, restrict administrative access to dedicated admin workstations, and enforce multi-factor authentication for all administrative actions.
Technical Details
CVE-2014-4113 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Microsoft's Win32k kernel-mode driver, which is responsible for window management, screen output, input handling, and graphics operations in the Windows operating system. The vulnerability involves an unspecified flaw in how Win32k processes certain requests, allowing a locally authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode by manipulating specific Win32k system calls or object operations. Because Win32k operates at the kernel privilege level, successful exploitation grants the attacker SYSTEM privileges, bypassing all user-mode security controls. The local attack vector means that while an attacker cannot exploit this vulnerability remotely by itself, it is commonly used as a second-stage exploit after gaining initial access through a remote code execution vulnerability, making it a key component in multi-stage attack chains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2014-4113 being actively exploited?
Yes, CVE-2014-4113 is being actively exploited in the wild. CISA has added this vulnerability to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of May 25, 2022. The EPSS percentile of approximately 99% confirms this is one of the most frequently exploited privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
What products are affected by CVE-2014-4113?
CVE-2014-4113 affects Microsoft Windows systems that use the Win32k kernel-mode driver. This includes multiple versions of Windows that were supported at the time of disclosure in 2014. All Windows installations that have not applied the corresponding security update remain vulnerable.
How do I fix CVE-2014-4113?
Apply the Microsoft security update that addresses the Win32k vulnerability on all affected Windows systems. Audit your environment for legacy systems that may have missed this patch. Implement least privilege principles and endpoint detection to reduce the impact of privilege escalation attacks.
How severe is CVE-2014-4113?
CVE-2014-4113 is a critical privilege escalation vulnerability with an EPSS percentile of approximately 99%, indicating near-certain exploitation. While it requires local access, it grants SYSTEM-level privileges and is frequently chained with remote code execution flaws to achieve full system compromise.
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