CVE-2022-26923: Active Directory Domain Services Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Overview

Severity

High (CVSS 8.8)

CVSS Vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Category

Elevation of Privilege

Exploit Status

Not Exploited

Exploitation Likelihood

More Likely

Patch Tuesday

2022-May

Released

2022-05-10

Last Updated

2023-04-11

EPSS Score

91.44% (percentile: 99.7%)

CISA KEV

Listed — due 2022-09-08

FAQ

How could an attacker exploit this vulnerability? An authenticated user could manipulate attributes on computer accounts they own or manage, and acquire a certificate from Active Directory Certificate Services that would allow elevation of privilege to System. Where can I find out more information about this vulnerability? Please see Certificate-based authentication changes on Windows domain controllers for more information and ways to protect yourself.

Known Exploits (4)

• Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services Privilege Escalation Vulnerability — added 2026-02-21T09:35:59Z
• Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services Privilege Escalation Vulnerability — added 2025-03-04T10:26:41Z
• Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services Privilege Escalation Vulnerability — added 2024-09-01T17:03:27Z
• Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services Privilege Escalation Vulnerability — added 2023-10-17T06:29:44Z

Detection & Weaponization (2 sources)

Maturity: Exploit

• Metasploit modules: Active Directory Certificate Services (ADCS) privilege escalation (Certifried)
• GitHub PoC: 8 repositories

Affected Products (32)

Windows

• Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1809 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
• Windows 10 Version 1909 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1909 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 21H1 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 21H1 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 21H1 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows Server 2022
• Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation)
• Windows 10 Version 20H2 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 20H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows Server, version 20H2 (Server Core Installation)
• Windows 11 version 21H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 11 version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 21H2 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2016
• Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
• Windows 8.1 for 32-bit systems
• Windows 8.1 for x64-based systems
• Windows RT 8.1

ESU

• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)

Security Updates (12)

• 5025229
• 5013945
• 5013942
• 5025230
• 5025224
• 5013963
• 5025228
• 5014011
• 5014001
• 5014025
• 5025285
• 5025288

Acknowledgments

Oliver Lyak (@ly4k_) of Institut For Cyber Risk working with <a href="https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/">Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative</a>

Revision History

• 2022-05-10: Information published.
• 2022-05-10: Added an FAQ. This is an information change only.
• 2023-01-17: Acknowledgement added. This is an informational change only.
• 2023-04-11: Microsoft is announcing the release of the second phase of Windows security updates to address this vulnerability. The April 2023 updates remove the Disabled mode so that you can no longer place domain controllers in Disabled mode using a registry key setting. Please see Certificate-based authentication changes on Windows domain controllers for more information and ways to protect yourself.