How severe is CVE-2022-0280?

CVE-2022-0280 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2022-0280 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (24th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2022-0280?

CVE-2022-0280 affects Microsoft Windows. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2022-0280?

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-2022-0280 published?

CVE-2022-0280 was published on 2022-03-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2022-0280

CVE-2022-0280 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. 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-367.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 3.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (24th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-367
Affected product: Microsoft Windows
Published: 2022-03-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A race condition vulnerability exists in the QuickClean feature of McAfee Total Protection for Windows prior to 16.0.43 that allows a local user to gain privilege elevation and perform an arbitrary file delete. This could lead to sensitive files being deleted and potentially cause denial of service. This attack exploits the way symlinks are created and how the product works with them.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2022-0280?: A race condition vulnerability exists in the QuickClean feature of McAfee Total Protection for Windows prior to 16.0.43 that allows a local user to gain privilege elevation and perform an arbitrary file delete. This could lead to sensitive files being deleted and potentially cause denial of service. This attack exploits the way symlinks are created and how the product works with them.
How severe is CVE-2022-0280?: CVE-2022-0280 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2022-0280 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (24th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2022-0280?: CVE-2022-0280 affects Microsoft Windows. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2022-0280?: 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-2022-0280 published?: CVE-2022-0280 was published on 2022-03-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://service.mcafee.com/?articleId=TS103271&page=shell&shell=article-view

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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