CVE-2021-36948 Microsoft Windows Update Medic Service Privilege Escalation
An attacker can exploit the Windows Update Medic Service to elevate privileges on affected Windows systems.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 3 Nov 2021
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2021-36948?
CVE-2021-36948 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1809, published on 12 Aug 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Windows Update Medic Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-36948?
It affects 8 products.
Products include Microsoft Windows 10 1809, Microsoft Windows 10 1909, Microsoft Windows 10 2004, Microsoft Windows 10 20h2, Microsoft Windows 10 21h1, Microsoft Windows Server 2004 and 2 more.
How do I fix CVE-2021-36948?
No fix has been published for CVE-2021-36948 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 17 Nov 2021.
Is CVE-2021-36948 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-36948 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021.
Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10 1809
- CVE-2024-29988 Microsoft SmartScreen Prompt Security Feature Bypass
- CVE-2024-21412 Microsoft Windows Internet Shortcut Files Security Feature Bypass
- CVE-2025-62221 Microsoft Windows Use After Free
- CVE-2025-30400 Microsoft Windows DWM Core Library Use-After-Free
- CVE-2024-21338 Microsoft Windows Kernel Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control
Sources
Also known as GHSA-fcr2-qx8m-pfhp.