Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2016-7222

Vulnerability details

A local attacker can obtain elevated privileges.

The vulnerability exists due to an error when handling UNC paths in Windows Task Scheduler. A local authenticated user can create a task with specially crafted UNC path and execute it with elevated privileges.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability will allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges on vulnerable system.

Affected software

How to mitigate CVE-2016-7222

Vendor has issued patches to address this vulnerability:

Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems

Windows 10 for x64-based Systems

Windows 10 Version 1511 for 32-bit Systems

Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems

Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems

Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems

Windows Server 2016 for x64-based Systems

Windows Server 2016 for x64-based Systems (Server Core installation)    

External References

• https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/MS16-130

Related Security Bulletins

• Two privilege escalation vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows
• Task Scheduler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
• Security Update for Microsoft Windows (3199172)