Zero-day vulnerability in Windows

Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls
CVE-2022-38028

Microsoft Threat Intelligence is publishing results of our longstanding investigation into activity by the Russian-based threat actor Forest Blizzard (STRONTIUM) using a custom tool to elevate privileges and steal credentials in compromised networks. Since at least June 2020 and possibly as early as April 2019, Forest Blizzard has used the tool, which we refer to as GooseEgg, to exploit the CVE-2022-38028 vulnerability in Windows Print Spooler service by modifying a JavaScript constraints file and executing it with SYSTEM-level permissions.

Known malware:

GooseEgg

Vulnerability details

Advisory: SB2022101229 - Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows Print Spooler

Vulnerable component: Windows

CVE-ID: CVE-2022-38028

CVSSv3 score: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H/RL:O/RC:C

CWE-ID: CWE-264 - Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls

Description:

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to application does not properly impose security restrictions in the Windows Print Spooler, which leads to security restrictions bypass and privilege escalation.

Note, the vulnerability is being exploited in the wild since at least June 2020 and possibly as early as April 2019.

External links:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-russian-apt28-hackers-exploit-windows-flaw-...

About zero-day vulnerabilities

Zero-day vulnerability is an undisclosed vulnerability in software that hackers can exploit to compromise computer programs, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, penetrate networks, etc. We consider vulnerability a zero-day when there is no solution provided from software vendor and the vulnerability is being actively exploited by malicious actors.

Zero-day candidate is a potential zero-day vulnerability in software which might have been used in targeted attacks, however there is no evidence to support this suggestion.