CVE-2019-0841
HighExploitedPublic exploitAn elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC) improperly handles hard links, aka 'Windows Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.
Published Apr 9, 2019 · Updated Oct 29, 2025
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2019-0841 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Windows 10 1703 (Microsoft), Windows 10 1709 (Microsoft), Windows 10 1803 (Microsoft) and 5 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 15, 2022 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 41% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
41%
Higher than 98.6% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings, used by ransomware
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2019-0841 brief as a PDF
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Description
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC) improperly handles hard links, aka 'Windows Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0730, CVE-2019-0731, CVE-2019-0796, CVE-2019-0805, CVE-2019-0836.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Mar 15, 2022 | Apr 5, 2022 | Known |
| Industry KEV feed | Mar 15, 2022 | Apr 5, 2022 | Known |
| CIRCL KEV | Mar 15, 2022 | Apr 5, 2022 | Known |
| ENISA EUVD | Mar 15, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
8 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 1703Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 10 1709Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 10 1803Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows 10 1809Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Windows Server 2016Microsoft | 1803 | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Apr 9, 2019
Added to CISA KEV
Mar 15, 2022
Added to Industry KEV feed
Mar 15, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Mar 15, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Mar 15, 2022
Last updated
Oct 29, 2025
Weakness Type
- CWE-59 Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
References
- advisoryhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/152463/Microsoft-Windows-AppX-Deployment-Service-Privilege-Escalation.html
- advisoryhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153009/Internet-Explorer-JavaScript-Privilege-Escalation.html
- advisoryhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153114/Microsoft-Windows-AppX-Deployment-Service-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html
- advisoryhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153215/Microsoft-Windows-AppX-Deployment-Service-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html
- advisoryhttps://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-19-360/
FAQ
Common Questions.
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC) improperly handles hard links, aka 'Windows Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.
Affected: Windows 10 1703 (Microsoft); Windows 10 1709 (Microsoft); Windows 10 1803 (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 15, 2022 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Mar 15, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Apr 5, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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