How severe is CVE-2012-0180?

CVE-2012-0180 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, 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 high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2012-0180 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (66th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2012-0180?

CVE-2012-0180 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 11 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2012-0180?

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-2012-0180 published?

CVE-2012-0180 was published on 2012-05-09 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2012-0180

CVE-2012-0180 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 7 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (66th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 7
Published: 2012-05-09
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, Windows 7 Gold and SP1, and Windows 8 Consumer Preview does not properly handle user-mode input passed to kernel mode for (1) windows and (2) messages, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Windows and Messages Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-0180?: 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, Windows 7 Gold and SP1, and Windows 8 Consumer Preview does not properly handle user-mode input passed to kernel mode for (1) windows and (2) messages, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Windows and Messages Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2012-0180?: CVE-2012-0180 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, 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 high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2012-0180 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (66th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2012-0180?: CVE-2012-0180 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 7. In total, 11 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2012-0180?: 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-2012-0180 published?: CVE-2012-0180 was published on 2012-05-09 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (11)

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:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
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: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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