HighPublic exploit

Win32k NULL Page Privilege Escalation (CVE-2013-3881)

IdentifiersCVE-2013-3881CWE-476

CVE-2013-3881 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in the win32k.sys kernel-mode driver in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. The vulnerability resides in the xxxTrackPopupMenuEx function, where improper handling of the pGlobalMenuState variable can result in a NULL pointer dereference. If a failure in xxxMNAllocMenuState sets pGlobalMenuState to NULL, subsequent cleanup code does not check for NULL before dereferencing it. If the null page is mapped in userland, this allows an attacker to control kernel operations on memory at address zero, leading to potential kernel code execution. Exploitation requires detailed manipulation of Windows user objects and handle tables to redirect execution to attacker-controlled code at address zero.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode, enabling full privilege escalation to SYSTEM. This allows the attacker to patch process tokens, enable all privileges, and gain complete control over the affected system. The vulnerability can be used to bypass security boundaries and compromise the integrity of the operating system.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

On systems where patching is not immediately possible, prevent userland mapping of the null page (address zero) to mitigate exploitation. This can be enforced via system configuration or third-party security tools. However, the only complete mitigation is to apply the official Microsoft patch.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply the security update provided by Microsoft in Security Bulletin MS13-081, which addresses the vulnerability by correcting the handling of the pGlobalMenuState variable and preventing NULL pointer dereference in the win32k.sys driver.

PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

1 valid exploit after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos.

VALID 1 / 1 TOTALView more in app

ms13_081_track_popup_menu.rbMaturityWeaponizedFrameworkmetasploitVerified exploit

This repository contains a single Metasploit module (ms13_081_track_popup_menu.rb) that exploits a local privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2013-3881) in Microsoft Windows 7 (SP0/SP1, 32-bit). The exploit targets a NULL pointer dereference in win32k.sys triggered via the TrackPopupMenuEx function. The module checks the version of win32k.sys to determine if the target is vulnerable, and only proceeds if the system is 32-bit and not already running as SYSTEM. The exploit uses Reflective DLL Injection to load a custom DLL (cve-2013-3881.x86.dll) containing the payload, which is typically a Meterpreter shell that runs with SYSTEM privileges. The structure is standard for Metasploit local exploits, with clear separation of initialization, vulnerability checking, and exploitation logic. No network endpoints are involved; the attack vector is purely local, requiring an existing session on the target machine.

Disclosed Oct 8, 2013rubylocal

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

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VendorProductType

Microsoft CorporationWindows 7operating_system

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ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

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0 SOURCESView more in app

No public activity observed for this vulnerability.

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Threat actor evidence

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Associated malware

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Detection signatures

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Social activity