CVE-2022-44666Public exploit

Code execution via injected contact link

Published Dec 13, 2022 · Updated Aug 27, 2025

Remote code execution in Microsoft Windows Contacts allows remote attackers to run code as the current user through a crafted contact file. Windows Contacts inserts attacker-controlled URL fields into a SysLink href, and wab32.dll passes the clicked target to ShellExecuteExW without restricting it to safe schemes or destinations. Exploitation requires a user to open the contact and click its displayed link; successful code runs with that user's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability41.37%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in Microsoft Windows Contacts allows remote attackers to run code as the current user through a crafted contact file. Windows Contacts inserts attacker-controlled URL fields into a SysLink href, and wab32.dll passes the clicked target to ShellExecuteExW without restricting it to safe schemes or destinations. Exploitation requires a user to open the contact and click its displayed link; successful code runs with that user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-44666
Published
Dec 13, 2022
Updated
Aug 27, 2025
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows 10 Version 1507
Classifications
T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 13, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 27, 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.19624

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1507version=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.19624
Microsoft · Windows Server 2019version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.3770
Microsoft · Windows 7version=6.1.0 <6.1.7601.26266
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 21H1version=10.0.0 <10.0.19043.2364
Microsoft · Windows 8.1version=6.3.0 <6.3.9600.20721
Microsoft · Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.5582
Microsoft · Windows 11 version 21H2version=10.0.22000.0 <10.0.22000.1335
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)version=6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.24018
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012version=6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.24018
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 21H2version=10.0.19044.0 <10.0.19044.2364
Microsoft · Windows Server 2016version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.5582
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1version=6.1.7601.0 <6.1.7601.26266
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 20H2version=10.0.0 <10.0.19042.2364
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)version=6.1.7601.0 <6.1.7601.26266
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 22H2version=10.0.19045.0 <10.0.19045.2364
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)version=6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.20721
Microsoft · Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.3770
Microsoft · Windows 7 Service Pack 1version=6.1.0 <6.1.7601.26266
Microsoft · Windows 11, version 22H2version=10.0.22621.0 <10.0.22621.993
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1607version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.5582
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2version=6.0.6003.0 <6.0.6003.21815
Microsoft · Windows Server 2022version=10.0.20348.0 <10.0.20348.1366
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1809version=10.0.0 <10.0.17763.3770; version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.3770
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 R2version=6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.20721
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)version=6.0.6003.0 <6.0.6003.21815

Published CVSS scores

7.8MicrosoftCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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