CVE-2011-1879

CVE-2011-1879 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2003 Server with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-399.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.2)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (69th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-399
• Affected product: Microsoft Windows 2003 Server
• Published: 2011-07-13
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

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."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2011-1879?

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."

How severe is CVE-2011-1879?

CVE-2011-1879 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2011-1879 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (69th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2011-1879?

CVE-2011-1879 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2003 Server. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2011-1879?

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

When was CVE-2011-1879 published?

CVE-2011-1879 was published on 2011-07-13 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://osvdb.org/73781
• http://secunia.com/advisories/45186
• http://support.avaya.com/css/P8/documents/100144947
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/48593
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1025761
• http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA11-193A.html
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2011/ms11-054
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A11946

Affected products (17)

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2003_server:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:x86:*:*:*:*:*
• 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:*:*:x32:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• 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:-: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:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:-:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 2003 Server

• CVE-2011-1868 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Distributed File System (DFS) implementation in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3 and Server 2003 SP2 does not…
• CVE-2011-1268 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The SMB client in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows Server…
• CVE-2011-0661 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The SMB Server service in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows…
• CVE-2011-0654 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Integer underflow in the BowserWriteErrorLogEntry function in the Common Internet File System (CIFS) browser service in…
• CVE-2010-2550 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The SMB Server in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows Server…
• CVE-2010-0476 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The SMB client in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2, and Windows Server 2008 Gold and SP2…

All CVEs affecting Microsoft Windows 2003 Server →

Other CWE-399 (Resource Management Errors) vulnerabilities

• CVE-2015-8104 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The KVM subsystem in the Linux kernel through 4.2.6, and Xen 4.3.x through 4.6.x, allows guest OS users to cause a…
• CVE-2015-0339 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.277 and 14.x through 17.x before 17.0.0.134 on Windows and OS X and before…
• CVE-2015-0335 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.277 and 14.x through 17.x before 17.0.0.134 on Windows and OS X and before…
• CVE-2015-0333 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.277 and 14.x through 17.x before 17.0.0.134 on Windows and OS X and before…
• CVE-2014-4121 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP2, 3.5, 3.5.1, 4, 4.5, 4.5.1, and 4.5.2 does not properly parse internationalized…
• CVE-2014-0560 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.12 and 11.x before 11.0.09 on Windows and OS…

Browse all CWE-399 (Resource Management Errors) vulnerabilities →