Microsoft Windows SAM Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
If a Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) shadow copy of the system drive is available, users can read the SAM file which would allow any user to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level.
Microsoft Windows SAM Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
If a Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) shadow copy of the system drive is available, users can read the SAM file which would allow any user to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level.
<p>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.</p>
<p>An attacker must have the ability to execute code on a victim system to exploit this vulnerability.</p>
<p>After installing this security update, you <em>must</em> manually delete all shadow copies of system files, including the SAM database, to fully mitigate this vulnerabilty. <strong>Simply installing this security update will not fully mitigate this vulnerability.</strong> See <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/topic/1ceaa637-aaa3-4b58-a48b-baf72a2fa9e7">KB5005357- Delete Volume Shadow Copies</a>.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>An attacker must have the ability to execute code on a victim system to exploit this vulnerability.</p>
<p>After installing this security update, you <em>must</em> manually delete all shadow copies of system files, including the SAM database, to fully mitigate this vulnerabilty. <strong>Simply installing this security update will not fully mitigate this vulnerability.</strong> See <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/topic/1ceaa637-aaa3-4b58-a48b-baf72a2fa9e7">KB5005357- Delete Volume Shadow Copies</a>.</p>
CISA Catalog
Date Added
Due Date
Vulnerability Name
Required Action
2022-02-10
2022-02-24
Microsoft Windows SAM Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Date Added: 2022-02-10
Due Date: 2022-02-24
Vulnerability Name: Microsoft Windows SAM Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Required Action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.