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CVE-2014-1812

Microsoft Windows Group Policy Preferences Password Privilege Escalation

8.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)Used in ransomwareEPSS 64.9%
  1. Published14 May 2014
  2. Added to CISA KEV3 Nov 2021
  3. Remediation due3 May 2022
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

Microsoft Windows Active Directory contains a privilege escalation vulnerability due to the way it distributes passwords that are configured using Group Policy preferences. An authenticated attacker who successfully exploits the vulnerability could decrypt the passwords and use them to elevate privileges on the domain.

Added to KEV: 3 Nov 2021Federal remediation due: 3 May 2022Used in ransomware

Description

The Group Policy implementation in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2 does not properly handle distribution of passwords, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive credential information and consequently gain privileges by leveraging access to the SYSVOL share, as exploited in the wild in May 2014, aka "Group Policy Preferences Password Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredLow
User interactionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Microsoft Windows 7all versions
Microsoft Windows 8all versions
Microsoft Windows 8.1all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2008r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2012r2
Microsoft Windows Vistaall versions

Remediation

No fixed version is recorded in the NVD data. Check the vendor advisory for the latest guidance.

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2014-1812 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2014-1812 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 3 Nov 2021. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.

How severe is CVE-2014-1812?

CVE-2014-1812 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 64.9% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2014-1812?

Affected products include Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows 8, Microsoft Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Server 2012, and 1 more.

How do I fix CVE-2014-1812?

Apply the vendor's patch or advisory guidance, then verify no affected versions remain across your devices.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2014-1812 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, Secuno flags any affected asset as top-priority automatically. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

See how prioritisation worksBook a demo

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.