How severe is CVE-2011-1873?

CVE-2011-1873 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2011-1873 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 19% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2011-1873?

CVE-2011-1873 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2011-1873?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2011-1873 published?

CVE-2011-1873 was published on 2011-06-16 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2011-1873

CVE-2011-1873 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 7 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 19% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 19% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 7
Published: 2011-06-16
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 on 64-bit platforms does not properly validate pointers during the parsing of OpenType (aka OTF) fonts, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted font file, aka "Win32k OTF Validation Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2011-1873?: win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 on 64-bit platforms does not properly validate pointers during the parsing of OpenType (aka OTF) fonts, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted font file, aka "Win32k OTF Validation Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2011-1873?: CVE-2011-1873 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2011-1873 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 19% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2011-1873?: CVE-2011-1873 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2011-1873?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2011-1873 published?: CVE-2011-1873 was published on 2011-06-16 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (10)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2: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_vista:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:-:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*

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