Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw lets a logged-in attacker raise privileges on affected Windows systems. If exploited, they could run code in the Windows kernel and gain full control of the machine. It is serious, but it requires local access first and the provided sources do not show active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority legacy Windows risk. It is not described as remotely exploitable, but it can turn an initial foothold into full system control. Patch or isolate affected systems after confirming exposure.
Technical view
CVE-2019-0960 is a Win32k memory object handling elevation-of-privilege issue in listed Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 versions. Exploitation requires low-privileged local logon and running a specially crafted application. Successful exploitation enables arbitrary kernel-mode code execution.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on unpatched Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 SP2, and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 systems where users or attackers can log on locally and execute applications.
Exploitation context
The source bundle says exploitation requires prior system logon and a crafted application. It lists KEV as false, so there is no cited evidence here of known active exploitation. The CVSS vector includes high attack complexity and low privileges required.
Researcher notes
The bundle provides product families and versions but not KB numbers or deeper vulnerable build ranges. No CWE is assigned. Avoid assuming active exploitation or additional affected platforms beyond the Microsoft-listed Windows versions.
Mitigation direction
- Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2019-0960 where applicable.
- Check MSRC guidance for product-specific update applicability.
- Prioritize affected systems that allow interactive or remote user logon.
- Restrict local logon and application execution to trusted users.
- Plan replacement or isolation for systems that cannot be updated.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 assets.
- Compare installed patch status against Microsoft’s CVE-2019-0960 guidance.
- Confirm whether affected systems permit non-admin user logon.
- Review endpoint controls limiting untrusted application execution.
- Document exceptions for systems that cannot receive the update.
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.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupPrivilege 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-2019-0960 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
- High
- CVSS
- 7 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C
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 vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C15.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- Win32k Elevation of Privilege VulnerabilityCVE reference · vendor-advisory
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-0960CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC, x_transferred
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.