# CVE-2022-21882: Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-21882-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-02-04. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2022-21882 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-02-04

A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Microsoft Win32k kernel driver due to an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) or offset confusion in ConsoleControl. An attacker with local access can exploit this to gain elevated system privileges.

Technologies: [Microsoft Win32K](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/win32k). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2022-21882 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2022-21882 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 4 February 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2022-21882?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 4 February 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 10 1809, 1909, 20H2, 21H1, 21H2; Microsoft Windows 11 21H2; Microsoft Windows Server 2019; Microsoft Windows Server 2022; and 1 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2022-21882?** A patch was published on 2022-02-04: Microsoft released security updates to address this vulnerability. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2022-21882 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2022-21882?** Check whether you run Microsoft Win32K. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows 10 1809, 1909, 20H2, 21H1, 21H2
- Microsoft Windows 11 21H2
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019
- Microsoft Windows Server 2022
- Microsoft Windows Server 20H2

## Timeline

- 2022-02-04: disclosed
- 2022-02-04: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2022-02-04: patched: Microsoft released security updates to address this vulnerability.
- 2022-02-04: exploited: Reported as exploited in the wild.

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-0165-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32K Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-29336-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2015-2360-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-8589-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [Microsoft Win32k Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2014-4113-microsoft-win32k-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)