CVE-2022-34713KEV · OVERDUE

Microsoft Windows Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

High · published August 9, 2022

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 99.3th percentile for exploit probability.

1515
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
7.8
EPSS
68%
Percentile
99.3
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

🚨 A sneaky remote code execution flaw lurks in the Microsoft Windows Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) — an attacker could send you a crafted file and take over your system! ⚡ Think of the MSDT as a hotel concierge who unknowingly lets in a guest with a fake reservation. When they trust the wrong paperwork, the intruder can access any room they want! If exploited, an attacker could execute malicious code on your system, potentially leading to full control over sensitive data, installation of malware, or even network-wide breaches. This could be absolutely devastating for personal and organizational security, leaving your environment wide open for attacks.

Put simply

Think of the MSDT as a hotel concierge who unknowingly lets in a guest with a fake reservation. When they trust the wrong paperwork, the intruder can access any room they want! This vulnerability allows remote code execution by tricking MSDT into executing malicious scripts, thanks to insufficient validation of content in specific scenarios. It primarily affects users who open specially crafted files, making it a serious risk for Windows users.

What to do

If exploited, an attacker could execute malicious code on your system, potentially leading to full control over sensitive data, installation of malware, or even network-wide breaches. This could be absolutely devastating for personal and organizational security, leaving your environment wide open for attacks. To mitigate this risk, immediately apply the latest security updates from Microsoft and disable the MSDT URL protocol by modifying the Windows Registry. Stay vigilant and ensure your antivirus definitions are up to date, as well as educating users on the dangers of unknown files. You've got this! Follow these steps, and you'll bolster your defenses against this threat in no time! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
7.8 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:O/RC:C
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.67757 · 99.3th percentile
Published
2022-08-09T19:55Z
KEV added
2022-08-09 · due 2022-08-30
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 09 AUG 19:55Z
    Microsoft Windows Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
    cvelistv5
  • 09 AUG 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Aug 30
    kev