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CVE-2022-44698

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Security Feature Bypass

5.4 MEDIUMActively exploited (CISA KEV)Used in ransomwareEPSS 76.3%
  1. Published13 Dec 2022
  2. Added to CISA KEV13 Dec 2022
  3. Remediation due3 Jan 2023
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen contains a security feature bypass vulnerability that could allow an attacker to evade Mark of the Web (MOTW) defenses via a specially crafted malicious file.

Added to KEV: 13 Dec 2022Federal remediation due: 3 Jan 2023Used in ransomware

Description

Windows SmartScreen Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredNone
User interactionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityLow
AvailabilityLow
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L

Affected products

Microsoft Windows 10 1607< 10.0.14393.5582
Microsoft Windows 10 1809< 10.0.17763.3770
Microsoft Windows 10 20h2< 10.0.19042.2364
Microsoft Windows 10 21h1< 10.0.19043.2364
Microsoft Windows 10 21h2< 10.0.19044.2364
Microsoft Windows 10 22h2< 10.0.19045.2364
Microsoft Windows 11 21h2< 10.0.22000.1335
Microsoft Windows Server 2016< 10.0.14393.5582
Microsoft Windows Server 2019< 10.0.17763.3770
Microsoft Windows Server 2022< 10.0.20348.1366

Remediation

Fixed in
Microsoft Windows 10 1607≥ 10.0.14393.5582
Microsoft Windows 10 1809≥ 10.0.17763.3770
Microsoft Windows 10 20h2≥ 10.0.19042.2364
Microsoft Windows 10 21h1≥ 10.0.19043.2364
Microsoft Windows 10 21h2≥ 10.0.19044.2364
Microsoft Windows 10 22h2≥ 10.0.19045.2364
Microsoft Windows 11 21h2≥ 10.0.22000.1335
Microsoft Windows Server 2016≥ 10.0.14393.5582
Microsoft Windows Server 2019≥ 10.0.17763.3770
Microsoft Windows Server 2022≥ 10.0.20348.1366

References

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2022-44698 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2022-44698 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 13 Dec 2022. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.

How severe is CVE-2022-44698?

CVE-2022-44698 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.4, rated medium. EPSS estimates a 76.3% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2022-44698?

Affected products include Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1809, Microsoft Windows 10 20h2, Microsoft Windows 10 21h1, Microsoft Windows 10 21h2, and 5 more.

How do I fix CVE-2022-44698?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Microsoft Windows 10 1607 10.0.14393.5582, Microsoft Windows 10 1809 10.0.17763.3770, Microsoft Windows 10 20h2 10.0.19042.2364 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2022-44698 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.