CVE-2022-21881

CVE-2022-21881 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 25% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-362.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.0)
• CVSS v2: 7.2
• EPSS exploit prediction: 25% (98th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-362
• Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
• Published: 2022-01-11
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2022-21881?

Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

How severe is CVE-2022-21881?

CVE-2022-21881 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2022-21881 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 25% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2022-21881?

CVE-2022-21881 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 27 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2022-21881?

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-2022-21881 published?

CVE-2022-21881 was published on 2022-01-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-21881
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/168097/Race-Against-The-Sandbox.html
• https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2022-21881

Affected products (27)

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h1:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h2:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h2:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:21h2:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1809:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1909:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:rt:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:20h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Other CWE-362 (Race Condition) vulnerabilities

• CVE-2022-27626 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A vulnerability regarding concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('Race Condition')…
• CVE-2015-8556 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Gentoo QEMU package before 2.5.0-r1.
• CVE-2014-0703 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) devices 7.4 before 7.4.110.0 distribute Aironet IOS software with a race condition…
• CVE-2010-1228 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Multiple race conditions in the sandbox infrastructure in Google Chrome before 4.1.249.1036 have unspecified impact and…
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