How severe is CVE-2012-0157?

CVE-2012-0157 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2012-0157 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2012-0157?

CVE-2012-0157 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2012-0157?

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-2012-0157 published?

CVE-2012-0157 was published on 2012-03-13 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2012-0157

CVE-2012-0157 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 7 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4. 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-20.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.4)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (70th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 7
Published: 2012-03-13
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 handle window messaging, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application that calls the PostMessage function, aka "PostMessage Function Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-0157?: 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 handle window messaging, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application that calls the PostMessage function, aka "PostMessage Function Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2012-0157?: CVE-2012-0157 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2012-0157 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2012-0157?: CVE-2012-0157 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2012-0157?: 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-2012-0157 published?: CVE-2012-0157 was published on 2012-03-13 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (13)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:*:x86:*:*:*:*:*
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:x64:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:x86:*:*:*:*:*
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:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 7

CVE-2020-1467 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles hard links. An attacker who successfully…
CVE-2015-2373 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) server service in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012 allows…
CVE-2015-0014 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in the Telnet service in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2…
CVE-2014-6321 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Schannel in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1,…
CVE-2013-3195 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The DSA_InsertItem function in Comctl32.dll in the Windows common control library in Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Windows…
CVE-2013-3175 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1,…

All CVEs affecting Microsoft Windows 7 →

Other CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-48316 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48281 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48277 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48055 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Streambert is a cross-platform Electron Desktop App to stream and download any video media. In versions 2.4.0 and…
CVE-2026-34910 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A malicious actor with access to the network could exploit an Improper Input Validation vulnerability found in UniFi OS…
CVE-2026-33587 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Lack of user input sanitisation in Open Notebook v1.8.3 allows the application user to execute Python code (and…

Browse all CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities →