Patchfirst
CVE-2022-22047 KEV High · 7.8 EPSS 18.8%

Microsoft Windows Client Server Runtime Subsystem (CSRSS) Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Microsoft · Windows

Summary

The Windows Client Server Run-time Subsystem (CSRSS) in Microsoft Windows contains a privilege escalation flaw classified as an untrusted search path weakness. A local attacker with low-privileged access who does not need any user interaction can exploit it to elevate their privileges.

Official description · NVD

Windows Client Server Run-time Subsystem (CSRSS) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Breakdown
62.9 / 100
Exploited
Yes, in CISA KEV
Reports
0
Tactics
5/15

How an attack unfolds

Based on mappings. Select a step to see the evidence.
  1. How attackers get in

  2. What they do

  3. What can follow

First seen exploited the day it was disclosed.

  1. DisclosedFirst seen exploitedVulnCheck KEV evidenceAdded to CISA KEVEU database agreesday 0

CISA KEV listing is when exploitation was confirmed, not necessarily the first attack.

techniques

4 , grouped by in kill-chain order 4

Initial AccessTA0001

Valid Accounts T1078 also Persistence, Privilege Escalation, Stealth
MITRE CTID mapping of the KEV entry · how it is exploited

This vulnerability is exploited by an attacker who has obtained local access tothe target system. The vulnerability lies in the Client Server Run-Time Subsystem (CSRSS) on Windows, specifically in the activation context caching mechanism, due to improper handling of crafted assembly manifests. This vulnerability has been exploited by threat actors to gain elevated privileges on Windows systems. Attackers leveraged this flaw to execute arbitrary system-level commands, allowing them to manipulate system processes and deploy additional malware to perform further malicious activities. The exploit in question is actively being used in the wild, primarily in targeted attacks. It involves creating a malicious activation context by providing a crafted assembly manifest, which is cached and used the next time the process spawns. Once the vulnerability is exploited, attackers can load a malicious DLL to achieve system-level code execution. This allows them to achieve their objectives, such as executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges, with the same permissions as the compromised system's user.

ExecutionTA0002

MITRE CTID mapping of the KEV entry · follow-on activity

PersistenceTA0003

Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder T1547.001 also Privilege Escalation
MITRE CTID mapping of the KEV entry · follow-on activity

Privilege EscalationTA0004

MITRE CTID mapping of the KEV entry · primary impact

Detection

0 rules for this CVE · 221 general rules for its techniques

Rules for this CVE

0 that reference CVE-2022-22047 directly.

CVE-specific rules are not available in this build. Search SigmaHQ ↗

General rules for this CVE’s techniques

These detect the technique in general, not this specific vulnerability.

Valid AccountsT107856 general rules
Exploitation for Privilege EscalationT106831 general rules
Command and Scripting InterpreterT105995 general rules
Registry Run Keys / Startup FolderT1547.00139 general rules

Sigma rules © SigmaHQ, Detection Rule License 1.1; linked, not reproduced.

What security researchers reported

Not named in any threat report yet

Also mentioned in 50 community threat pulses (AlienVault OTX)

Weaker evidence

Pulses are indicator collections that anyone can publish. A mention is not confirmation of exploitation.

References

2 links, grouped by NVD tag (1 duplicate merged)
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