CVE-2019-0880 Microsoft Windows Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
A local elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in how splwow64.exe handles certain calls. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could elevate privileges on an affected system from low-integrity to medium-integrity.
From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.
Should You Worry?
- CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 23 May 2022.
- Rated High severity (CVSS 7.8, scored by CISA).
- It has been in the catalogue for 1,628 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.
What It Is
A local elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in how splwow64.exe handles certain calls, aka 'Microsoft splwow64 Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.
Affected Versions
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Windows Server | 2012 2012 (Core installation) 2012 R2 2012 R2 (Core installation) 2016 2016 (Core installation) |
| Microsoft Windows | 8.1 for 32-bit systems 8.1 for x64-based systems RT 8.1 10 for 32-bit Systems 10 for x64-based Systems 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems | unspecified |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems | unspecified |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systems | unspecified |
| Microsoft Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation) | unspecified |
From the public CVE record, as supplied by the vendor. Always confirm against the vendor advisory.
What To Do Now
- 1
Find it
Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for Microsoft Windows. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.
Attack Surface Management - 2
- 3
Hunt for compromise
If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.
Incident Response - 4
Prove it is fixed
Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.
Penetration Testing
Vendor Advisories
The Compliance Clock
General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.
Not Sure If You Are Exposed?
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