CVE-2012-0181

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 - Privilege Escalation via Keyboard Layout File

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2012-0181. PoCs published by Cr4sh.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This PoC exploits a pool corruption vulnerability in Windows XP's win32k!ReadLayoutFile() function, leading to a local privilege escalation (LPE) via a crafted keyboard layout file. The exploit triggers a PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA bugcheck, demonstrating the vulnerability but noting that reliable code execution is difficult due to uncontrolled pool corruption.

Description

win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, Windows 7 Gold and SP1, and Windows 8 Consumer Preview does not properly manage Keyboard Layout files, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka "Keyboard Layout File Vulnerability."

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Cr4sh · textdoswindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/18894

This PoC exploits a pool corruption vulnerability in Windows XP's win32k!ReadLayoutFile() function, leading to a local privilege escalation (LPE) via a crafted keyboard layout file. The exploit triggers a PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA bugcheck, demonstrating the vulnerability but noting that reliable code execution is difficult due to uncontrolled pool corruption.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Windows XP SP3 (win32k.sys)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to a Windows XP SP3 system · Ability to load a malicious keyboard layout file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (4)

Core 4
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1027039
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry signature x_refsource_oval
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A15355
US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-129A.html

Scores

EPSS 0.0340
EPSS Percentile 87.3%

Details

CWE
CWE-264
Status published
Products (6)
microsoft/windows_7 (3 CPE variants)
microsoft/windows_server_2003
microsoft/windows_server_2008
microsoft/windows_server_2008 r2 (2 CPE variants)
microsoft/windows_vista
microsoft/windows_xp (2 CPE variants)
Published May 09, 2012
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026