Advisory Details

October 14th, 2022

Microsoft Windows CSRSS Activation Context Cache Poisoning Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

ZDI-22-1413
ZDI-CAN-18149

CVE ID CVE-2022-37989
CVSS SCORE 7.8, AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AFFECTED VENDORS Microsoft
AFFECTED PRODUCTS Windows
VULNERABILITY DETAILS

This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Microsoft Windows. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the CSRSS.exe process. By sending a crafted message to CSRSS, an attacker can cause an arbitrary DLL to be loaded. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS Microsoft has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-37989
DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
  • 2022-07-28 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2022-10-14 - Coordinated public release of advisory
  • 2023-01-17 - Advisory Updated
CREDIT Simon Zuckerbraun - Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative
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