CVE-2025-55228: Windows Graphics Component Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Overview

Severity
High (CVSS 7.8)
CVSS Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
Category
Remote Code Execution
Exploit Status
Not Exploited
Exploitation Likelihood
Less Likely
Patch Tuesday
2025-Sep
Released
2025-09-09
EPSS Score
0.04% (percentile: 12.0%)

Description

Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Windows Win32K - GRFX allows an authorized attacker to execute code locally.

FAQ

According to the CVSS metric, the attack vector is local (AV:L). Why does the CVE title indicate that this is a remote code execution? The word Remote in the title refers to the location of the attacker. This type of exploit is sometimes referred to as Arbitrary Code Execution (ACE). The attack itself is carried out locally. The vulnerable endpoint is only available over the local VM interface as all external communication is blocked. This means an attacker needs to execute code from the local machine to exploit the vulnerability. According to the CVSS metric, a successful exploitation could lead to a scope change (S:C). What does this mean for this vulnerability? In this case, a successful attack could be performed from a low privilege Hyper-V guest. The attacker could traverse the guest's security boundary to execute code on the Hyper-V host execution environment. According to the CVSS metric, the attack complexity is high (AC:H). What does that mean for this vulnerability? Successful exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to win a race condition. How could an attacker exploit this vulnerability? To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerability and take control of an affected system. Additionally, an attacker could convince a local user to open a malicious file. The attacker would have to convince the user to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or instant message, and then convince them to open the specially crafted file.

Affected Products (13)

Windows

  • Windows Server 2022
  • Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation)
  • Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)
  • Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation)
  • Windows 11 Version 24H2 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows Server 2025

ESU

  • Windows 11 Version 22H2 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems

Security Updates (7)

Acknowledgments

<a href="https://twitter.com/b2ahex">b2ahex</a>, cyanbamboo

Revision History

  • 2025-09-09: Information published.