Microsoft Windows AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC) Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Microsoft · Windows
CVSS 7.8
EPSS 41%
5 public exploits
ransomware
Fix deadline passed 5 April 2022
What it is
A privilege escalation vulnerability exists when Windows AppXSVC improperly handles hard links. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run processes in an elevated context.
Why we say that
- Linked by CISA to known ransomware campaigns
- 5 public exploits published
- CISA's federal remediation deadline (2022-04-05) has passed
- Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue
Every line above comes from a named public source. Where the evidence is thin, we say so rather than inventing confidence — see methodology.
What to do
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Public exploit code
Indexed from Exploit-DB. Presence of code raises urgency; absence does not mean safety.
- Microsoft Windows 10 < build 17763 - AppXSvc Hard Link Privilege Escalation (Metasploit)
- Microsoft Windows 10 < build 17763 - AppXSvc Hard Link Privilege Escalation (Metasploit)
- Microsoft Windows - AppX Deployment Service Local Privilege Escalation (3)
- Microsoft Windows - AppX Deployment Service Local Privilege Escalation (2)
- Microsoft Windows - AppX Deployment Service Privilege Escalation
What it costs when this goes wrong
This is where UK enforcement meets the vulnerability record. This vulnerability is used in ransomware campaigns; here is what ransomware has cost UK organisations at the regulator.
- Advanced Computer Software Group Limited The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has fined Advanced Computer Software Group Ltd (Advanced) £3.07m for security failings…
- Optionis Group Limited The data controller suffered a ransomware attack, which resulted in the exfiltration of personal data. A reprimand was issued in r…