Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server for AMD CPUs

1) Processor optimization removal or modification of security-critical code

EUVDB-ID: #VU65205

Risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 4.4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2022-29900

CWE-ID: CWE-1037 - Processor optimization removal or modification of security-critical code

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to a mistrained branch predictions for return instructions. A local user can execute arbitrary speculative code under certain microarchitecture-dependent conditions. The vulnerability was dubbed  RETbleed.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows: 10 - 11 22H2 10.0.22621.521

Windows Server: 2008 - 2022 20H2

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10:Gold:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10:S:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10:Mobile:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10_20H2:10.0.19042.572:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10_21H1:10.0.19043.985:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10_21H2:10.0.19044.1288:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10_1511:10.0.10586.3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2022-29900

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.