CVE-2021-40449
Microsoft Windows Win32k Privilege Escalation Vuln - [Actively Exploited]
Description
Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
INFO
Published Date :
Oct. 13, 2021, 1:15 a.m.
Last Modified :
March 13, 2025, 4:36 p.m.
Source :
[email protected]
Remotely Exploitable :
No
Impact Score :
5.9
Exploitability Score :
1.8
CISA KEV (Known Exploited Vulnerabilities)
For the benefit of the cybersecurity community and network defenders—and to help every organization better manage vulnerabilities and keep pace with threat activity—CISA maintains the authoritative source of vulnerabilities that have been exploited in the wild.
Unspecified vulnerability allows for an authenticated user to escalate privileges.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-40449
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2021-40449 has a 38 public PoC/Exploit
available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits
tab to see the list.
Affected Products
The following products are affected by CVE-2021-40449
vulnerability.
Even if cvefeed.io
is aware of the exact versions of the
products
that
are
affected, the information is not represented in the table below.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2021-40449
.
URL | Resource |
---|---|
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164926/Win32k-NtGdiResetDC-Use-After-Free-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html | Exploit Third Party Advisory VDB Entry |
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-40449 | Patch Vendor Advisory |
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164926/Win32k-NtGdiResetDC-Use-After-Free-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html | Exploit Third Party Advisory VDB Entry |
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-40449 | Patch Vendor Advisory |
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
This is my starred repositories including the description for each tool. Makes search/filter over them easier.
None
Using CVE-2021-40449 to manual map kernel mode driver
All CVE - PoC in GitHub
poc proofofconcept tester allcve cvegithub cvenew cvepoc cveupdate
None
Automation for internal Windows Penetrationtest / AD-Security
adsecurity automation exploitation pentest-tool pentesting powershell recon redteam
Shell PowerShell
Cybersecurity-Handbooks
attack-defense cybersec cybersecurity cybersecurity-education cybersecurity-tools cybersecurity-training reconnaissance cloud cryptography forensics osint password reverse-engineering wireless wireless-security
渗透测试有关的POC、EXP、脚本、提权、小工具等---About penetration-testing python-script poc getshell csrf xss cms php-getshell domainmod-xss csrf-webshell cobub-razor cve rce sql sql-poc poc-exp bypass oa-getshell cve-cms
Assembly Python Shell PHP C++ C Go Ruby HTML Java
None
Shell PowerShell
bounty collection
Shell Python Dockerfile Ruby JavaScript ASP.NET Classic ASP HTML PHP Jupyter Notebook
None
None
C++
None
None
Assembly Python Shell PHP C++ C Go Ruby HTML Java
Some of my personal automation shell scripts.
Shell
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2021-40449
vulnerability anywhere in the article.

-
TheCyberThrone
IronHusky APT deploys MysterySnail APT
IronHusky APT, a China-linked cyber espionage group, has resurfaced with an evolved version of its MysterySnail RAT, targeting government organizations in Russia and Mongolia. Leveraging malicious MMC ... Read more

-
Hackread - Latest Cybersecurity, Hacking News, Tech, AI & Crypto
Chinese APT IronHusky Deploys Updated MysterySnail RAT on Russia
Kaspersky researchers report the reappearance of MysterySnail RAT, a malware linked to Chinese IronHusky APT, targeting Mongolia and Russia after years of silence. Learn about its new tactics and modu ... Read more

-
BleepingComputer
Chinese hackers target Russian govt with upgraded RAT malware
Chinese-speaking IronHusky hackers are targeting Russian and Mongolian government organizations using upgraded MysterySnail remote access trojan (RAT) malware. Security researchers at Kaspersky's Glob ... Read more

-
The Hacker News
Multi-Stage Malware Attack Uses .JSE and PowerShell to Deploy Agent Tesla and XLoader
A new multi-stage attack has been observed delivering malware families like Agent Tesla variants, Remcos RAT, and XLoader. "Attackers increasingly rely on such complex delivery mechanisms to evade det ... Read more

-
Daily CyberSecurity
IronHusky APT Resurfaces with Evolved MysterySnail RAT
In a newly released report, Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) has revealed the resurgence of IronHusky, a Chinese-speaking APT group known for its espionage operations targeting Ru ... Read more

-
Cyber Security News
Hackers Weaponize MMC Script to Deploy MysterySnail RAT Malware
A sophisticated cyberespionage campaign leveraging malicious Microsoft Management Console (MMC) scripts to deploy the stealthy MysterySnail remote access trojan (RAT). First identified in 2021 during ... Read more

-
Kaspersky
IronHusky updates the forgotten MysterySnail RAT to target Russia and Mongolia
Day after day, threat actors create new malware to use in cyberattacks. Each of these new implants is developed in its own way, and as a result gets its own destiny – while the use of some malware fam ... Read more

-
TheCyberThrone
Microsoft Patch Tuesday – October 2024
Microsoft patched 117 CVEs in October 2024 Patch Tuesday release, with three rated critical, 113 rated important and one rated moderate.27 Elevation of Privilege vulnerabilities7 Security Feature Bypa ... Read more
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2021-40449
vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Modified Analysis by [email protected]
Mar. 13, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Feb. 07, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CWE CWE-416 -
CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Nov. 21, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164926/Win32k-NtGdiResetDC-Use-After-Free-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html Added Reference https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-40449 -
Modified Analysis by [email protected]
Jul. 24, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* OR *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1507:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.10240.19086 *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.14393.4704 *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.17763.2237 *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.18363.1854 *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.19041.1288 *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.19041.1288 *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.19041.1288 *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_21h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.22000.258 *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.19041.1288 *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.14393.4704 *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.17763.2237 *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.20348.288 *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 10.0.19042.1288 -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
May. 14, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value -
CWE Remap by [email protected]
Aug. 08, 2023
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed CWE CWE-269 CWE-416 -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Aug. 01, 2023
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed Description Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2021-40450, CVE-2021-41357. Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Added CVSS V3.1 Microsoft Corporation AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H -
CPE Deprecation Remap by [email protected]
May. 23, 2022
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* OR *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* -
CPE Deprecation Remap by [email protected]
May. 23, 2022
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* OR *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* -
Modified Analysis by [email protected]
Nov. 30, 2021
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed Reference Type http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164926/Win32k-NtGdiResetDC-Use-After-Free-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html No Types Assigned http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164926/Win32k-NtGdiResetDC-Use-After-Free-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry Changed CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11:-:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* OR *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Nov. 10, 2021
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164926/Win32k-NtGdiResetDC-Use-After-Free-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html [No Types Assigned] -
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Oct. 19, 2021
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V2 NIST (AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P) Added CVSS V3.1 NIST AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Changed Reference Type https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-40449 No Types Assigned https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-40449 Patch, Vendor Advisory Added CWE NIST CWE-269 Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:2004:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11:-:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2004:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:x86:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2021-40449
is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2021-40449
weaknesses.
Exploit Prediction
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days.
82.33 }} -2.33%
score
0.99181
percentile