---
id: "CVE-2014-4077"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2014-4077"]
title: "Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese: Microsoft IME Japanese Privilege Escalation Vulnerability"
severity: "critical"
cvss: 9.3
epss: 0.54577
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["exploited", "infrastructure", "japanese-ime", "windows"]
not_affected_if: ["default-config", "ime-japanese-not-installed"]
published_at: "2014-11-11T22:55:04+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-2014-4077", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:52+00:00"}, {"source": "epss", "url": "https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2014-4077", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:13:45+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-4077", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:35+00:00"}]
---

# Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese: Microsoft IME Japanese Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese contains a flaw in IMJPDCT.EXE that lets an attacker bypass a sandbox and gain elevated privileges on Windows. 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 Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese affected ? fixed ?

## Fix

Apply the Microsoft updates for this CVE per vendor instructions; the exact KB or build is not in the sources.
If Japanese IME is not needed, disable it in Windows language settings.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:52+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2014-4077
- 2026-10-23T19:13:45+00:00 epss https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2014-4077
- 2026-10-23T21:57:35+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-4077

## From the sources

Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese is a keyboard with Japanese characters that can be enabled on Windows systems as it is included by default (with the default set as disabled). IME Japanese contains an unspecified vulnerability when IMJPDCT.EXE (IME for Japanese) is installed which allows attackers to bypass a sandbox and perform privilege escalation.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

---

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