# CVE-2022-41049: Microsoft Windows Mark of the Web (MOTW) Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-41049-microsoft-windows-mark-of-the-web-motw-security-feature-bypass  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-11-14. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2022-41049 · Severity: critical · CVSS 5.4 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-11-14

Microsoft Windows contains a security feature bypass vulnerability in the Mark of the Web (MOTW) mechanism. An attacker can exploit this to prevent security features from correctly identifying and restricting files downloaded from the internet, leading to a limited loss of integrity and availability.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2022-41049 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2022-41049 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 14 November 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2022-41049?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 5.4, published 14 November 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 10 versions up to (excluding) 10.0.10240.19567, 10.0.14393.5501, 10.0.17763.3650, 10.0.19042.2251, 10.0.19043.2251, 10.0.19044.2251, 10.0.19045.2251; Microsoft Windows 11 versions up to (excluding) 10.0.22000.1219, 10.0.22621.819; Microsoft Windows Server 2016 versions up to (excluding) 10.0.14393.5501; Microsoft Windows Server 2019 versions up to (excluding) 10.0.17763.3650; and 5 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2022-41049?** A patch was published on 2022-11-14: 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-2022-41049 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2022-41049?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows. 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 versions up to (excluding) 10.0.10240.19567, 10.0.14393.5501, 10.0.17763.3650, 10.0.19042.2251, 10.0.19043.2251, 10.0.19044.2251, 10.0.19045.2251
- Microsoft Windows 11 versions up to (excluding) 10.0.22000.1219, 10.0.22621.819
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016 versions up to (excluding) 10.0.14393.5501
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019 versions up to (excluding) 10.0.17763.3650
- Microsoft Windows Server 2022 versions up to (excluding) 10.0.20348.1249
- Microsoft Windows 7 SP1
- Microsoft Windows 8.1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012

## Timeline

- 2022-11-14: disclosed
- 2022-11-14: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2022-11-14: patched: Microsoft released security updates to address this vulnerability.
- 2022-11-14: exploited: Reported as exploited in the wild.

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