Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2019-1039 is a Windows kernel information disclosure flaw. A logged-in attacker could run a crafted application and read information that may help compromise the same system further. It is not described as remote code execution, but it can support follow-on attacks.
Executive priority
Handle through standard Windows patch governance, with elevated attention for legacy Windows estates and shared-user systems. The issue is not known from the provided sources to be actively exploited, but it can aid a broader compromise after local access exists.
Technical view
The Windows kernel improperly initializes memory objects, exposing information to a local authenticated attacker. CVSS 3.1 is 5.5 with local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, high confidentiality impact, and no integrity or availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on unpatched Windows systems listed by Microsoft, including Windows 7, Windows 8.1, multiple Windows 10 releases, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, including Server Core variants.
Exploitation context
The source bundle says exploitation requires an authenticated attacker running a specially crafted application locally. KEV is false, and the provided sources do not show active exploitation. The flaw may disclose information useful for further compromise.
Researcher notes
Key constraints are local access and authenticated execution. The main impact is confidentiality: kernel memory object initialization can leak information. The available evidence does not include exploit details, affected component internals, or any confirmed exploitation beyond the vendor and CVE metadata.
Mitigation direction
- Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2019-1039 where applicable.
- Check MSRC for product-specific update packages and supersedence details.
- Prioritize legacy or internet-adjacent Windows hosts with local user access.
- Upgrade or isolate unsupported Windows versions if updates are unavailable.
- Maintain application control to reduce unauthorized local code execution.
Validation and detection
- Inventory systems matching the affected Windows versions in the source bundle.
- Confirm installed Microsoft security updates cover CVE-2019-1039.
- Review vulnerability scanner findings against MSRC product applicability.
- Check whether affected systems allow untrusted local users to run applications.
- Document exceptions where Microsoft updates cannot be applied.
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.
CVE-2019-1039 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
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N/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:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:C1.83.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:C
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- Windows Kernel Information Disclosure VulnerabilityCVE reference · vendor-advisory
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1039CVE 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.