CVE-2021-43226
CVE-2021-43226 is a security flaw in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft’s operating system for PCs and servers. Someone who already has a foothold can use Microsoft Windows to take full control of the machine. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 6 Oct 2025, and says ransomware gangs have used it.[1]
Microsoft Windows is in things households have, such as phones, computers, browsers and everyday apps, so the fix matters at home as much as at work. Fixed in version 10.0.17763.2366, 10.0.18363.1977, 10.0.19043.1415 and 10.0.20348.405 and others.
Description
CISA calls it a privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows. In its words: “Microsoft Windows Common Log File System Driver contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that could allow a local, privileged attacker to bypass certain security mechanisms.”[1]
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record lists these fixed versions: in each line, everything before the version shown is affected.[2]
| Product | Fixed in |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 Version 1809 | 10.0.17763.2366 |
| Windows Server 2019 | 10.0.17763.2366 |
| Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) | 10.0.17763.2366 |
| Windows 10 Version 1909 | 10.0.18363.1977 |
| Windows 10 Version 21H1 | 10.0.19043.1415 |
| Windows Server 2022 | 10.0.20348.405 |
| Windows 10 Version 2004 | 10.0.19041.1415 |
| Windows Server version 2004 | 10.0.19041.1415 |
Every device with Microsoft Windows needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 6 Oct 2025, 1,391 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 27 Oct 2025 to fix it.[1] CISA says ransomware gangs have used it.
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 3%. That’s in the top 12% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Microsoft has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.”[1]
- Update Microsoft Windows now.On Windows: Settings, Windows Update, Check for updates, then restart. Office updates come the same way, or from any Office app: File, Account, Update Options. Then turn on automatic updates, so the next fix arrives on its own.
- Check you’re on 10.0.17763.2366 or later.Fixed in version 10.0.17763.2366, 10.0.18363.1977, 10.0.19043.1415 and 10.0.20348.405 and others. Anything older is what attackers are going after.
- If there’s no update, stop using it.CISA’s advice when a flaw being used in attacks has no fix is to stop using the product until it does.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks, noting that ransomware gangs have used it.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 3%.[4] |
See also
Other Microsoft Windows flaws
- CVE-2026-96951: command injection ·
- CVE-2026-85880: heap-based buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2026-81963: link following ·
- CVE-2008-4250: buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2026-32202: protection mechanism failure ·
- CVE-2025-60710: link following ·
Similar flaws
- CVE-2026-111357, Ivanti Connect Secure: missing authentication for critical function ·
- CVE-2026-97229, GitLab Community Edition and Enterprise Edition: integer overflow or wraparound ·
- CVE-2026-76418, Cisco Secure Firewall ASA Software and Cisco Secure FTD Software: unchecked return value to NULL pointer dereference ·
- CVE-2026-48356, Adobe Commerce and Magento: unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type ·
- CVE-2026-111497, Google Brotli: unchecked return value ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2025-61882, Oracle E-Business Suite: unspecified ·
- CVE-2021-22555, Linux Kernel: heap out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2013-3918, Microsoft Windows: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2011-3402, Microsoft Windows: remote code execution ·
- CVE-2010-3962, Microsoft Internet Explorer: uninitialized memory corruption ·
Every Microsoft flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in October 2025
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Microsoft Windows Privilege Escalation Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 6 Oct 2025.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2021-43226 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 15 Dec 2021.
- ^ Microsoft. Advisories and fixes: msrc.microsoft.com, portal.msrc.microsoft.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.033, percentile 88.4, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2021-43226”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.