# CVE-2022-26923: Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-26923-microsoft-active-directory-domain-services-privilege-escalation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-08-18. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2022-26923 · Severity: critical · CVSS 8.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-08-18

An authenticated user can manipulate attributes on computer accounts they own or manage to acquire a certificate from Active Directory Certificate Services. This flaw allows for privilege escalation to SYSTEM by exploiting improper certificate validation in Active Directory Domain Services.

Technologies: [Microsoft Active Directory](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/active-directory). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2022-26923 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2022-26923 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 18 August 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2022-26923?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 18 August 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 10 up to (excluding) 10.0.10240.19297; Microsoft Windows 11 up to (excluding) 10.0.22000.1817; Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2; Microsoft Windows Server 2016 up to (excluding) 10.0.14393.5850; and 2 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2022-26923?** A patch was published on 2022-08-18: Patch information provided by Microsoft Corporation Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2022-26923 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2022-26923?** Check whether you run Microsoft Active Directory. 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 up to (excluding) 10.0.10240.19297
- Microsoft Windows 11 up to (excluding) 10.0.22000.1817
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016 up to (excluding) 10.0.14393.5850
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019 up to (excluding) 10.0.17763.4252
- Microsoft Windows Server 2022 up to (excluding) 10.0.20348.1668

## Timeline

- 2022-08-18: disclosed
- 2022-08-18: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2022-08-18: patched: Patch information provided by Microsoft Corporation

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Active Directory infinite loop denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-54119-microsoft-windows-active-directory-infinite-loop-denial-of)
- [Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-42278-microsoft-active-directory-domain-services-privilege-escalation)
- [Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-42287-microsoft-active-directory-domain-services-privilege-escalation)