CVE-2013-3660
HIGHCISA KEVEPSS 98th pctlDescription
The EPATHOBJ::pprFlattenRec function in 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 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012 does not properly initialize a pointer for the next object in a certain list, which allows local users to obtain write access to the PATHRECORD chain, and consequently gain privileges, by triggering excessive consumption of paged memory and then making many FlattenPath function calls, aka "Win32k Read AV Vulnerability."
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Very high risk: more likely to be exploited than 98% of all known CVEs.
Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
The EPATHOBJ::pprFlattenRec function in win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft does not properly initialize a pointer for the next object in a certain list, which allows local users to gain privileges.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Remediation due: 2022-04-18
References
- http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2013-05/0090.html
- http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2013-05/0094.html
- http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2013-06/0006.html
- http://secunia.com/advisories/53435
- http://twitter.com/taviso/statuses/309157606247768064
- http://twitter.com/taviso/statuses/335557286657400832
- http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9239477
- http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/25611/
- http://www.osvdb.org/93539
- http://www.reddit.com/r/netsec/comments/1eqh66/0day_windows_kernel_epathobj_vulnerability/
- http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/23/4358400/google-engineer-bashes-microsoft-discloses-windows-flaw
- http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA13-190A
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2013/ms13-053
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A17360
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2013-3660
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Start freeThis product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2026-04-22.