CVE-2019-0841
Published: March 15, 2022
Official Description
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.
CISA KEV Advisory
Microsoft Windows AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC) Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
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.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Risk Analysis
This vulnerability allows an attacker to gain elevated privileges on a Windows system by exploiting how AppXSVC handles hard links. The high EPSS score of 0.82650 indicates a very high likelihood of exploitation, and its presence in CISA's KEV catalog confirms it has been actively exploited.
Active exploitation of this vulnerability has been observed in the wild, as confirmed by its inclusion in the KEV catalog.
Apply the latest security updates for Windows to address this privilege escalation vulnerability. Regularly patching your systems is crucial to prevent exploitation.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2019-0841 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CISA has added CVE-2019-0841 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. U.S. federal agencies are required to patch this within the mandated timeframe, and all organizations should treat remediation as urgent.
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (1)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2019-0841 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
- !CISA KEV: Federal agencies must patch per BOD 22-01 timeline
- !Active exploitation confirmed — treat as P1