CVE-2022-21882 Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation
An attacker can exploit a memory corruption flaw in the Windows kernel to gain elevated privileges on affected systems.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 4 Feb 2022
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2022-21882?
CVE-2022-21882 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1809, published on 11 Jan 2022. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Weakness: CWE-787
Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-21882?
It affects 9 products.
Products include Microsoft Windows 10 1809, Microsoft Windows 10 1909, Microsoft Windows 10 20h2, Microsoft Windows 10 21h1, Microsoft Windows 10 21h2, Microsoft Windows 11 21h2 and 3 more.
How do I fix CVE-2022-21882?
No fix has been published for CVE-2022-21882 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 18 Feb 2022.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2022-21882 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2022-21882 in the wild since at least 4 Feb 2022, including in ransomware campaigns.
Public exploit code: 1 Metasploit module and 5 proofs of concept on GitHub.
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-m3vx-53cf-jqv4.