Microsoft IME Japanese Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Microsoft · Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese
What it is
Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese is a keyboard with Japanese characters that can be enabled on Windows systems as it is included by default (with the default set as disabled). IME Japanese contains an unspecified vulnerability when IMJPDCT.EXE (IME for Japanese) is installed which allows attackers to bypass a sandbox and perform privilege escalation.
Why we say that
- CISA's federal remediation deadline (2022-06-15) has passed
- Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue
Every line above comes from a named public source. Where the evidence is thin, we say so rather than inventing confidence — see methodology.
What to do
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
What it costs when this goes wrong
This is where UK enforcement meets the vulnerability record. Where an unfixed vulnerability leads to a breach, the ICO treats it as a security failure under UK GDPR. Recent cases:
- The Electoral Commission Reprimand issued to the Electoral Commission in respect of Articles 5(1)(f) and 32(1)(b). Between 24 August 2021 and 27 October 20…
- Gain Capital UK Limited Gain Capital UK have been issued a Reprimand in respect of Articles 32 (2) and 32 (1) (b). An unauthorised third party leveraged a…
- Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment An unauthorised third party exploited a known vulnerability in the Sitefinity software to leverage a bruteforce attack to upload a…