---
id: "CVE-2013-3660"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2013-3660"]
title: "Microsoft Win32k: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.8
epss: 0.39318
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Microsoft Win32k", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["exploited", "infrastructure", "microsoft-windows", "windows"]
not_affected_if: ["patched-systems"]
published_at: "2013-05-24T20:55:01+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:52+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:35+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2013-3660", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:52+00:00"}, {"source": "epss", "url": "https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2013-3660", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:13:45+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-3660", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:35+00:00"}]
---

# Microsoft Win32k: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

A flaw in the Windows kernel graphics driver win32k.sys lets a local user with a low-privilege account gain higher privileges. CISA lists it as actively exploited in the wild.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Microsoft Win32k affected ? fixed ?

## Fix

Apply the Microsoft updates for CVE-2013-3660 per vendor instructions, as CISA requires.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:52+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2013-3660
- 2026-10-23T19:13:45+00:00 epss https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2013-3660
- 2026-10-23T21:57:35+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-3660

## From the sources

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."

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_