Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a local privilege escalation flaw in older Microsoft Windows versions. An attacker who can run a crafted application on an affected machine could gain higher privileges. The source bundle identifies a Microsoft security bulletin and a public exploit listing, but no KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation.
Executive priority
Prioritize if legacy Windows remains in production or reachable by standard users. This is not described as remote entry, but it can turn low-privilege access into full system compromise on unpatched affected hosts.
Technical view
CVE-2011-1249 affects afd.sys, the Windows Ancillary Function Driver. The issue is improper validation of user-mode input, enabling local users to elevate privileges via a crafted application. Affected platforms named include Windows XP, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008, and Windows 7 service-pack ranges listed by the CVE description.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on legacy Windows endpoints or servers matching the listed versions that have not applied Microsoft MS11-046. Environments with unsupported Windows systems, embedded Windows builds, or forgotten lab and operational technology hosts should be checked carefully.
Exploitation context
The source bundle supports local exploitation only: the attacker needs the ability to run a crafted application on the target. Exploit-DB is listed as a public exploit reference. KEV is false, and the bundle does not provide evidence of active exploitation.
Researcher notes
The CVE source metadata has generic affected fields, but the description and Microsoft bulletin identify affected Windows versions. Treat exploit availability as public, not as evidence of active exploitation. Validate exposure by OS, service pack, and patch state.
Mitigation direction
- Apply Microsoft MS11-046 updates where applicable.
- Retire or isolate unsupported affected Windows systems.
- Restrict local code execution on legacy hosts.
- Review Microsoft guidance for version-specific update requirements.
Validation and detection
- Inventory hosts running the listed Windows versions and service packs.
- Verify MS11-046 or superseding Microsoft updates are installed.
- Use the referenced OVAL definition where supported by your scanner.
- Confirm afd.sys patch status against Microsoft bulletin guidance.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Privilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2011-1249 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- MS11-046CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_MS
- 40564CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:12731CVE reference · vdb-entry, signature
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.