Microsoft Windows 11/Server 2022 win32kbase.sys DirectComposition null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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6.0$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows 11/Server 2022. It has been rated as critical. Affected is the function DirectComposition in the library win32kbase.sys. This manipulation causes null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2022-40732. The attack needs to be launched locally. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows 11/Server 2022. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function DirectComposition in the library win32kbase.sys. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

An access violation vulnerability exists in the DirectComposition functionality win32kbase.sys driver version 10.0.22000.593 as part of Windows 11 version 22000.593 and version 10.0.20348.643 as part of Windows Server 2022 version 20348.643. A specially-crafted set of syscalls can lead to a reboot. An unprivileged user can run specially-crafted code to trigger Denial Of Service.

The advisory is shared at talosintelligence.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2022-40732 since 09/14/2022. The exploitation appears to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/27/2025).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

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Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.0

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 5.0
CNA Vector (talos): 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

09/14/2022 🔍
12/18/2024 +826 days 🔍
12/18/2024 +0 days 🔍
08/27/2025 +252 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: TALOS-2022-1514
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2022-40732 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2022-40732
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-288925

Entryinfo

Created: 12/18/2024 23:59
Updated: 08/27/2025 05:28
Changes: 12/18/2024 23:59 (65), 08/27/2025 05:28 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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