CVE-2021-40450

Microsoft Win32k — Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
⚠️ CVSS 3.1  7.8 / 10 — HIGH 🔴 CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability

Overview

Microsoft Win32k contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation.

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-40450

Key Details

PropertyValue
CVE ID CVE-2021-40450
Vendor / Product Microsoft — Win32k
NVD Published2021-10-13
NVD Last Modified2025-10-30
CVSS 3.1 Score7.8
CVSS 3.1 VectorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
SeverityHIGH
CISA KEV Added2022-04-25
CISA KEV Deadline2022-05-16
Known Ransomware Use No

CVSS 3.1 Breakdown

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Required Action

CISA BOD 22-01 Deadline: 2022-05-16. Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Timeline

DateEvent
2022-04-25Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
2022-05-16CISA BOD 22-01 remediation deadline

References

ResourceType
NVD — CVE-2021-40450 Vulnerability Database
CISA KEV Catalog Entry US Government