CVE-2019-1065: Microsoft Windows DirectComposition PropertySet Race Condition Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in kernel mode. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application to take control of an affected system. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows kernel handles objects in memory.

— Microsoft

This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Microsoft Windows. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the handling of DirectComposition PropertySet objects in the kernel. The issue results from a failure to guard critical data from being modified while the kernel is performing an operation, which can result in a write past the end of an allocated data structure. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of the kernel.

— ZDI