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Full vulnerability report · 2019
CVE-2019-0903High confidence

Microsoft GDI Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Microsoft · Graphics Device Interface (GDI)

8.8HighCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Patch now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2022-04-15 as the remediation due date.

Patch available
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityHighOperational priority:Critical, raised one band.upgradedsince 25 Mar 2022

Evidence used

  • CISA confirms exploitation in the wild.
  • EPSS is 21.71% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
  • Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
  • Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs Microsoft Graphics Device Interface (GDI) and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 3 daysRemediation target: Within 90 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2019-1652

CISA KEV mirrored by ENISA

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) handles objects in the memory, aka 'GDI+ Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Recorded by ENISA since 25 Mar 2022. Evidence sources: cisa_kev.
ENISA score
8.8 · CVSS 3.1
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionPatch now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2022-04-15 as the remediation due date.

Patch available
01

What, why and how

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) handles objects in the memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take control of the affected system.

What

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) handles objects in the memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take control of the affected system.

Why

The current structured CVE record identifies a security weakness, but the root cause requires confirmation in the linked vendor material.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication after a user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.

What

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) handles objects in the memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take control of the affected system.

Why

The current structured CVE record identifies a security weakness, but the root cause requires confirmation in the linked vendor material.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication after a user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Confirmed in the wild

CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 2022-03-25.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
None recorded

No exploit-tagged reference or CISA SSVC proof-of-concept state is currently recorded. Research may still exist outside the structured feeds.

Likely attack path
a network path → vulnerable operation → execute code or commands in the affected security context
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
Required interaction required
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration.
CWE not yet assigned
CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UIRequiredUser interaction: Another user must perform an action for exploitation to succeed.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
After compromise, an attacker may use built-in shells, scripting engines, scheduled tasks and native network utilities for discovery, persistence or movement. This is a plausible LoTL path, not evidence that it has occurred for every attack.
NetworkUnauthenticatedRemote code executionCISA KEV
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2019-1652Known-exploited evidence recorded

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) handles objects in the memory, aka 'GDI+ Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.

Official EUVD record ↗
CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2019-AVI-223Multiples vulnérabilités dans Microsoft Windows

.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0894 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0895 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0895 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0896 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0896 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0897 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0897 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0898 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0898 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0899 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0899 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0900 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0900 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0901 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0901 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0902 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0902 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0903 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0903 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0931 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0931 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0936 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0936 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0942 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0942 Référence CVE CVE-2019-0961 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0961 Gestion détaillée du document le 15 mai 2019 Version initiale Alertes Avis Bulletins d’actualités Mentions légales Conditions générales À propos Contact cyber.gouv.fr service-public.fr legifrance.gouv.fr info.gouv.fr france.fr info.gouv.fr/risques Premier Ministre / Secrétariat Général de la Défense e

Official advisory ↗
JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2019-003548複数の Microsoft Windows 製品におけるリモートでコードを実行される脆弱性

複数の Microsoft Windows 製品には、Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) がメモリ内のオブジェクトを処理する方法に不備があるため、リモートでコードを実行される脆弱性が存在します。 ベンダは、本脆弱性を「GDI+ のリモート コードが実行される脆弱性」として公開しています。

Official advisory ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Patch available
Affected
Fixed
An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
Action
Review the linked authoritative reference and apply the recorded fixed release appropriate to the affected product branch.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 16 May 2019 · Last source change 21 Oct 2025, 23:45 UTC · CWE not yet assigned

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.1
CVSS sourceNIST NVD
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-09-01
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2019-1652
Product sourceCISA KEV
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceUnavailable
NVD statusNVD enriched

Missing structured fields: CWE classification. Missing data is not evidence of low risk; review the primary advisory.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. ENISA known-exploited stateENISA EUVD now records this CVE in its known-exploited dataset.
    Before
    not listed in ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset
    After
    listed in ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset (EUVD-2019-1652)
    ENISA EUVD ↗
  2. ENISA EUVD mappingEUVD-2019-1652 was added to the official ENISA EUVD mapping for this CVE.
    Before
    not recorded
    After
    {"euvdId":"EUVD-2019-1652"}
    ENISA EUVD ↗
  3. Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
    Before
    7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1; 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1; 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 · Fixed: An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
    After
    Windows: 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1, 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1, 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, 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems, 10 Version 1703 for 32-bit Systems, 10 Version 1703 for x64-based Systems, 10 Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems, 10 Version 1709 for x64-based Systems, 10 Version 1803 for 32-bit Systems, 10 Version 1803 for x64-based Systems, 10 Version 1803 for ARM64-based Systems, 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems, 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems, 10 Version 1809 for ARM64-based Systems, 10 Version 1709 for ARM64-based Systems; Windows Server: 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Core installation), 2008 R2 for Itanium-Based Systems Service Pack 1, 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1, 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Core installation), 2012, 2012 (Core installation), 2012 R2, 2012 R2 (Core installation), 2016, 2016 (Core installation), version 1803 (Core Installation), 2019, 2019 (Core installation), 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems Service Pack 2, 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2, 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2, 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Core installation); Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems: unspecified; Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems: unspecified; Windows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systems: unspecified; Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation): unspecified · Fixed: An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
    CNA ↗
  4. Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed: added patch: portal.msrc.microsoft.com/CVE-2019-0903; added remediation: portal.msrc.microsoft.com/CVE-2019-0903.
    Before
    no authoritative guidance recorded
    After
    patch: portal.msrc.microsoft.com/CVE-2019-0903 · remediation: portal.msrc.microsoft.com/CVE-2019-0903
    portal.msrc.microsoft.com ↗
  5. Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
    Before
    7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1; 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1; 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 · Fixed: No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
    After
    7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1; 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1; 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 · Fixed: An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
    CNA ↗
  6. Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Awaiting fix to Patch available.
    Before
    Awaiting fix
    After
    Patch available
    portal.msrc.microsoft.com ↗
  7. CVSS scoreCVSS scoring authority changed from CISA ADP to NIST NVD; the displayed base score remained 8.8.
    Before
    8.8 (CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
    After
    8.8 (CVSS 3.1 · NIST NVD · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
    NIST NVD ↗
  8. Catalogue recordCVE added to the BlackTree catalogue.
    CNA ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
CVE published
Added to CISA KEV
Fixed release or patch reference recorded
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2019-1652↗CISA KEV record↗CVE authority or vendor reference↗Official CVE record (CNA and ADP data)↗NVD record↗
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2019-0903 · cve.blacktree.nl