Intelligence online17 sources monitored8 actively exploited 7d26 published 24hChecked recently
Vulnerability record

CVE-2021-36934

Microsoft Windows SAM Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

HighExploitation confirmedCISA KEV
What should I do?

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog: attackers are using it. If you run Windows, fix it now.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

US federal civilian agencies must remediate by Feb 24, 2022.

Patch status

Official fix available since

Apply the vendor's update to every affected system. Check the fixed-in versions below where known.

Basis: NVD patch reference

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists because of overly permissive Access Control Lists (ACLs) on multiple system files, including the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) database. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. An attacker must have the ability to execute code on a victim system to exploit this vulnerability. After installing this security update, you must manually delete all shadow copies of system files, including the SAM database, to fully mitigate this vulnerabilty. Simply installing this security update will not fully mitigate this vulnerability. See KB5005357- Delete Volume Shadow Copies.

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database. Official vulnerability data, reproduced as published.

Affected products

ProductVendorSource
WindowsMicrosoftKEV

Sources: KEV = CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Version details have not been published yet.

Intelligence timeline

Developments from the last 30 days, newest first.

  1. CVSS scoredUpdateKEV

    CVE-2021-36934 scored CVSS 7.8: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows SAM Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

    CISA lists this as exploited in the wild. Unpatched Windows systems are exposed to active attacks now.

    Basis: NIST National Vulnerability Database

  2. Patch releasedUpdateKEV

    Patch released for CVE-2021-36934: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows SAM Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

    An official fix is now available for Microsoft Windows. This vulnerability is being exploited, so apply it promptly.

    Basis: NVD patch reference

1 earlier event is available with a subscription. See plans.

Coverage

We have not published a story about this vulnerability yet.

References