How severe is CVE-2022-0166?

CVE-2022-0166 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2022-0166 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (86th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2022-0166?

CVE-2022-0166 affects Mcafee Agent. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2022-0166?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2022-0166 published?

CVE-2022-0166 was published on 2022-01-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2022-0166

CVE-2022-0166 is a high-severity vulnerability in Mcafee Agent with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-427.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (86th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-427
Affected product: Mcafee Agent
Published: 2022-01-19
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A privilege escalation vulnerability in the McAfee Agent prior to 5.7.5. McAfee Agent uses openssl.cnf during the build process to specify the OPENSSLDIR variable as a subdirectory within the installation directory. A low privilege user could have created subdirectories and executed arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges by creating the appropriate pathway to the specifically created malicious openssl.cnf file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2022-0166?: A privilege escalation vulnerability in the McAfee Agent prior to 5.7.5. McAfee Agent uses openssl.cnf during the build process to specify the OPENSSLDIR variable as a subdirectory within the installation directory. A low privilege user could have created subdirectories and executed arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges by creating the appropriate pathway to the specifically created malicious openssl.cnf file.
How severe is CVE-2022-0166?: CVE-2022-0166 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2022-0166 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (86th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2022-0166?: CVE-2022-0166 affects Mcafee Agent. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2022-0166?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2022-0166 published?: CVE-2022-0166 was published on 2022-01-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:agent:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*

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