CVE-2022-21882
HighExploitedPublic exploitWin32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Published Feb 9, 2022 · Updated Aug 15, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2022-21882 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Windows 10 1809 (Microsoft), Windows 10 1909 (Microsoft), windows 10 20H2 (Microsoft) and 14 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jan 11, 2022 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 59% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Windows 10 1809 10.0.17763.2452, Windows 10 1909 10.0.18363.2037, windows 10 20H2 10.0.19042.1466.
- 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)
59%
Higher than 99.1% 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-2022-21882 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Feb 4, 2022 | Feb 18, 2022 | Known |
| Industry KEV feed | Jan 11, 2022 | Feb 18, 2022 | Known |
| CIRCL KEV | Feb 4, 2022 | Feb 18, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Feb 4, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
27 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 1809Microsoft | See advisory | 10.0.17763.2452 |
| Windows 10 1909Microsoft | See advisory | 10.0.18363.2037 |
| windows 10 20H2Microsoft | See advisory | 10.0.19042.1466 |
| windows 10 21H1Microsoft | See advisory | 10.0.19043.1466 |
| windows 10 21H2Microsoft | See advisory | 10.0.19044.1466 |
Patched Releases
Windows 10 1809
10.0.17763.2452
Windows 10 1909
10.0.18363.2037
windows 10 20H2
10.0.19042.1466
windows 10 21H1
10.0.19043.1466
windows 10 21H2
10.0.19044.1466
windows 11 21H2
10.0.22000.434
Windows Server 2019
10.0.17763.2452
Windows Server 2022
10.0.20348.469
windows server 20H2
10.0.19042.1466
Windows 10 Version 1809
10.0.17763.2452
Windows 10 Version 1909
10.0.18363.2037
Windows 10 Version 20H2
10.0.19042.1466
Windows 10 Version 21H1
10.0.19043.1466
Windows 10 Version 21H2
10.0.19044.1466
Windows 11 version 21H2
10.0.22000.434
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
10.0.17763.2452
Windows Server version 20H2
10.0.19042.1466
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Jan 11, 2022
Added to CISA KEV
Feb 4, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Feb 4, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Feb 4, 2022
Publicly disclosed
Feb 9, 2022
Last updated
Aug 15, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write
References
- advisoryhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/166169/Win32k-ConsoleControl-Offset-Confusion-Privilege-Escalation.html
- advisoryhttps://heimdalsecurity.com/blog/patch-tuesday-february-2022/
- advisoryhttps://isc.sans.edu/diary/rss/28316
- advisoryhttps://us-cert.cisa.gov/
- advisoryhttps://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2022/02/08/microsoft-releases-february-2022-security-updates
FAQ
Common Questions.
Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Affected: Windows 10 1809 (Microsoft); Windows 10 1909 (Microsoft); windows 10 20H2 (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 Jan 11, 2022 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Feb 4, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Feb 18, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Windows 10 1809 10.0.17763.2452, Windows 10 1909 10.0.18363.2037, windows 10 20H2 10.0.19042.1466.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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