Vulnerability identifier: #VU59472

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 2.9 [CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2022-21838

CWE-ID: CWE-59

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Windows
Operating systems & Components / Operating system
Windows Server
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Microsoft

Description

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

The vulnerability exists due to a link following issue within the SilentCleanup scheduled task. A local user can create a specially symbolic crafted link to critical folders on the system and force the task to delete the folder.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows: 10 1809 10.0.17763.1, 10 1909 10.0.18363.476, 10 20H2 10.0.19042.572, 10, 10 1607 10.0.14393.10, 7, 8.1 - 8.1 RT, 10 21H1 10.0.19043.985, 11 21H2 10.0.22000.194, 10 21H2 10.0.19044.1288, 10 S, 10 1507 10.0.10240.16405, 10 Mobile, 10 2004 10.0.19041.264, 10 1903 10.0.18362.116, 10 1803 10.0.17134.48, 10 1709 10.0.16299.19, 10 1703 10.0.15063.138, 10 1511 10.0.10586.3, 10 Gold

Windows Server: 2008 R2 - 2022 10.0.20348.202

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External links
http://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2022-21838
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-049/

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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.