SYSTEM code execution via SilentCleanup link following
Published Jan 11, 2022 · Updated Jan 2, 2025
Link following in Microsoft Windows Cleanup Manager allows local users with low-privileged code execution to elevate to SYSTEM. The SilentCleanup scheduled task follows an attacker-created symbolic link while deleting a folder, redirecting the privileged deletion. Low-privileged code execution is required; successful exploitation deletes a chosen folder and permits arbitrary code in the SYSTEM context.
Summary
What happened
Link following in Microsoft Windows Cleanup Manager allows local users with low-privileged code execution to elevate to SYSTEM. The SilentCleanup scheduled task follows an attacker-created symbolic link while deleting a folder, redirecting the privileged deletion. Low-privileged code execution is required; successful exploitation deletes a chosen folder and permits arbitrary code in the SYSTEM context.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-21838
- Published
- Jan 11, 2022
- Updated
- Jan 2, 2025
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Windows 10 Version 1507
- Classifications
- CWE-59, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 11, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jan 2, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.19177
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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