CVE-2011-1883
Description
Use-after-free vulnerability in win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application that leverages incorrect driver object management, a different vulnerability than other CVEs listed in MS11-054, aka "Win32k Use After Free Vulnerability."
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
Use-after-free in win32k.sys in Windows kernel-mode drivers allows local privilege escalation via a crafted application.
Vulnerability
A use-after-free vulnerability exists in the kernel-mode driver win32k.sys in Microsoft Windows. The flaw is caused by improper management of driver objects. This vulnerability affects Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 [1].
Exploitation
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must have valid logon credentials and be able to log on locally to the target system. The attacker then runs a specially crafted application that triggers the use-after-free condition [1].
Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode, resulting in elevation of privilege. The attacker can gain complete control over the affected system, including the ability to install programs, view, change, or delete data, or create new accounts with full user rights [1].
Mitigation
Microsoft released security update KB2555917 as part of bulletin MS11-054 to address this vulnerability [1]. Customers with automatic updating enabled will receive the update automatically. Administrators should apply the update at the earliest opportunity. Avaya products using affected Windows versions also recommend installing the update via Microsoft Windows Update [2]. No workarounds are described in the references. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog as of the publication date [3].
AI Insight generated on May 24, 2026. Synthesized from this CVE's description and the cited reference URLs; citations are validated against the source bundle.
Affected products
19cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2003_server:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*+ 1 more
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2003_server:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:itanium:*:*:*:*:*+ 7 more
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:*:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:x32:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:x32:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*+ 1 more
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:-:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*+ 1 more
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:-:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
Patches
0No patches discovered yet.
Vulnerability mechanics
AI mechanics synthesis has not run for this CVE yet.
References
8- www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA11-193A.htmlnvdUS Government Resource
- osvdb.org/73783nvd
- secunia.com/advisories/45186nvd
- support.avaya.com/css/P8/documents/100144947nvd
- www.securityfocus.com/bid/48595nvd
- www.securitytracker.com/idnvd
- docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2011/ms11-054nvd
- oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A12721nvd
News mentions
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