How severe is CVE-2011-1985?

CVE-2011-1985 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2011-1985 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (82nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2011-1985?

CVE-2011-1985 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2003 Server. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2011-1985?

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-2011-1985 published?

CVE-2011-1985 was published on 2011-10-12 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2011-1985

CVE-2011-1985 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2003 Server with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1. 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-476.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.1)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (82nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-476
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 2003 Server
Published: 2011-10-12
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 does not properly validate user-mode input, which allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Null Pointer De-reference Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2011-1985?: win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 does not properly validate user-mode input, which allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) via a crafted application, aka "Win32k Null Pointer De-reference Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2011-1985?: CVE-2011-1985 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2011-1985 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (82nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2011-1985?: CVE-2011-1985 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2003 Server. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2011-1985?: 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-2011-1985 published?: CVE-2011-1985 was published on 2011-10-12 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (13)

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:*: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:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:-:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*

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