Vulnerability record

CVE-2014-4077

Microsoft IME Japanese Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

HighExploitation confirmedCISA KEV

What should I do?

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog: attackers are using it. If you run Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese, fix it now.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

US federal civilian agencies must remediate by Jun 15, 2022.

Patch status

Official fix available since Sep 30, 2026

Apply the vendor's update to every affected system. Check the fixed-in versions below where known.

Basis: NVD patch reference

Patch or advisory on docs.microsoft.com (opens in a new tab)

Description

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, and Office 2007 SP3, when IMJPDCT.EXE (aka IME for Japanese) is installed, allow remote attackers to bypass a sandbox protection mechanism via a crafted PDF document, aka "Microsoft IME (Japanese) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," as exploited in the wild in 2014.

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database. Official vulnerability data, reproduced as published.

Affected products

Products affected by this vulnerability, with versions and the source of each entry
Product	Vendor	Source
Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese	Microsoft	KEV

Sources: KEV = CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Version details have not been published yet.

Intelligence timeline

Developments from the last 30 days, newest first.

CVSS scoredUpdateKEVSep 30, 2026
CVE-2014-4077 scored CVSS 7.8: Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese, Microsoft IME Japanese Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
CISA lists this as exploited in the wild. Unpatched Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese systems are exposed to active attacks now.
Basis: NIST National Vulnerability Database
Patch releasedUpdateKEVSep 30, 2026
Patch released for CVE-2014-4077: Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese, Microsoft IME Japanese Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
An official fix is now available for Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese. This vulnerability is being exploited, so apply it promptly.
Basis: NVD patch reference

1 earlier event is available with a subscription. See plans.

Coverage

We have not published a story about this vulnerability yet.

References

nvd.nist.gov https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-4077
blogs.technet.com http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2014/11/11/assessing-risk-for-the-november-2014-security-updates.aspx
securitytracker.com http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1031196
securitytracker.com http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1031197
docs.microsoft.com https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2014/ms14-078
cisa.gov https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2014-4077