CVE-2021-36948KEV · OVERDUE

Microsoft Windows Update Medic Service Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

High · published August 12, 2021

Patch now

Confirmed exploited, and the score agrees

CVSS calls it high at 7.8. It is confirmed in active exploitation. It sits in the 97.8th percentile for exploit probability.

1802
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
7.8
EPSS
23%
Percentile
97.8
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

⚡ A flaw in the Windows Update Medic Service could let someone elevate their privileges without breaking a sweat! 🔥 Think of it like a maintenance worker sneaking into a locked room of the office and suddenly gaining access to all the executive files without the proper clearance. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the system as if they've been granted VIP access! If successfully exploited, an attacker could execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially giving them full control over the system. This could lead to data breaches, unauthorized changes, or even a complete takeover of your machine. It's a serious risk that you don't want to overlook!

Put simply

Think of it like a maintenance worker sneaking into a locked room of the office and suddenly gaining access to all the executive files without the proper clearance. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the system as if they've been granted VIP access! The vulnerability arises from improper handling of permissions in the Windows Update Medic Service, allowing an attacker to elevate their privileges and execute malicious code. This could involve taking advantage of certain system calls that don't adequately check user permissions.

What to do

If successfully exploited, an attacker could execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially giving them full control over the system. This could lead to data breaches, unauthorized changes, or even a complete takeover of your machine. It's a serious risk that you don't want to overlook! To protect your system, ensure you update to the latest Windows version immediately, as patches are available to fix this vulnerability. Regularly check for updates and consider enabling automatic updates for ongoing protection. Don't leave your system vulnerable! You've got this! Stay vigilant and keep your system updated, and you'll be a security hero in no time! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
7.8 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.23270 · 97.8th percentile
Published
2021-08-12T22:15Z
KEV added
2021-11-03 · due 2021-11-17
Affected products (8)
ProductVersionsFixed in
microsoft/windows_10_1809< 10.0.17763.211410.0.17763.2114
microsoft/windows_10_1909< 10.0.18363.173410.0.18363.1734
microsoft/windows_10_2004< 10.0.19041.116510.0.19041.1165
microsoft/windows_10_20h2< 10.0.19042.116510.0.19042.1165
microsoft/windows_10_21h1< 10.0.19043.116510.0.19043.1165
microsoft/windows_server_2004< 10.0.19041.116510.0.19041.1165
microsoft/windows_server_2019< 10.0.17763.211410.0.17763.2114
microsoft/windows_server_20h2< 10.0.19042.116510.0.19042.1165
References (3)
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 03 NOV 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Nov 17
    kev
  • 12 AUG 18:12Z
    Windows Update Medic Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
    cvelistv5