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CVE-2022-21882

Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation

7.0 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)Used in ransomwareEPSS 59.2%
  1. Published11 Jan 2022
  2. Added to CISA KEV4 Feb 2022
  3. Remediation due18 Feb 2022
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

Microsoft Win32k contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation.

Added to KEV: 4 Feb 2022Federal remediation due: 18 Feb 2022Used in ransomware

Description

Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

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

Affected products

Microsoft Windows 10 1809< 10.0.17763.2452
Microsoft Windows 10 1909< 10.0.18363.2037
Microsoft Windows 10 20h2< 10.0.19042.1466
Microsoft Windows 10 21h1< 10.0.19043.1466
Microsoft Windows 10 21h2< 10.0.19044.1466
Microsoft Windows 11 21h2< 10.0.22000.434
Microsoft Windows Server 2019< 10.0.17763.2452
Microsoft Windows Server 2022< 10.0.20348.469
Microsoft Windows Server 20h2< 10.0.19042.1466

Remediation

Fixed in
Microsoft Windows 10 1809≥ 10.0.17763.2452
Microsoft Windows 10 1909≥ 10.0.18363.2037
Microsoft Windows 10 20h2≥ 10.0.19042.1466
Microsoft Windows 10 21h1≥ 10.0.19043.1466
Microsoft Windows 10 21h2≥ 10.0.19044.1466
Microsoft Windows 11 21h2≥ 10.0.22000.434
Microsoft Windows Server 2019≥ 10.0.17763.2452
Microsoft Windows Server 2022≥ 10.0.20348.469
Microsoft Windows Server 20h2≥ 10.0.19042.1466

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2022-21882 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2022-21882 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 4 Feb 2022. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.

How severe is CVE-2022-21882?

CVE-2022-21882 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.0, rated high. EPSS estimates a 59.2% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2022-21882?

Affected products include Microsoft Windows 10 1809, Microsoft Windows 10 1909, Microsoft Windows 10 20h2, Microsoft Windows 10 21h1, Microsoft Windows 10 21h2, and 4 more.

How do I fix CVE-2022-21882?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Microsoft Windows 10 1809 10.0.17763.2452, Microsoft Windows 10 1909 10.0.18363.2037, Microsoft Windows 10 20h2 10.0.19042.1466 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2022-21882 against the real software inventory on every managed device, as each hourly inventory arrives. 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, a risk for it never ranks below high, and the update that fixes it moves to the Emergency patch lane. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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