#VU67252 Link following in Windows Server and Windows - CVE-2022-37955

Vulnerability identifier: #VU67252

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2022-37955

CWE-ID: CWE-59

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Windows Server
Operating systems & Components / Operating system
Windows
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 symlink following issue within the Group Policy Preference Client module. A local user can create a specially crafted symbolic link to a critical file on the system and overwrite it with SYSTEM privileges.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in privilege escalation.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows Server: 2003, 2008 R2 SP1 - 2008, 2012 Gold - 2012, 2016 10.0.14393.10, 2019 10.0.17763.1 - 2019 2004, 2022 10.0.20348.202 - 2022 20H2

Windows: Vista, RT, XP, 7 SP1 - 7, 8 RT - 8.1, 10 Gold, 10 Mobile, 10 S, 10 20H2 10.0.19042.572, 10 21H1 10.0.19043.985, 10 21H2 10.0.19044.1288, 10 1507 10.0.10240.16405, 10 1511 10.0.10586.3, 10 1607 10.0.14393.10, 10 1703 10.0.15063.138, 10 1706, 10 1709 10.0.16299.19, 10 1803 10.0.17134.48, 10 1809 10.0.17763.1, 10 1903 10.0.18362.116, 10 1909 10.0.18363.476, 10 2004 10.0.19041.264, 10, 11 21H2 10.0.22000.194, 11, 2000

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External links
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2022-37955
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-1285/

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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.