CVE-2022-41091
CVE-2022-41091 is a security flaw in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft’s operating system for PCs and servers. Attackers can get past a security protection in Microsoft Windows. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 8 Nov 2022, 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 10.0.10240.19567, 10.0.14393.5501, 10.0.17763.3650 and 10.0.19042.2251 and others.
Description
CISA calls it a mark of the web (MOTW) security feature bypass in Microsoft Windows. In its words: “Microsoft Windows Mark of the Web (MOTW) contains a security feature bypass vulnerability resulting in a limited loss of integrity and availability of security features.”[1]
The underlying weakness is incorrect authorization (CWE-863), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.[2]
It scores 5.4 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it medium, scored by the organisation that published the CVE 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 1507 | 10.0.10240.19567 |
| Windows 10 Version 1607 | 10.0.14393.5501 |
| Windows 10 Version 1809 | 10.0.17763.3650 |
| Windows 10 Version 20H2 | 10.0.19042.2251 |
| Windows 10 Version 21H1 | 10.0.19043.2251 |
| Windows 10 Version 21H2 | 10.0.19044.2251 |
| Windows 10 Version 22H2 | 10.0.19045.2251 |
| Windows 11 version 21H2 | 10.0.22000.1219 |
Every device with Microsoft Windows needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 8 Nov 2022. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 9 Dec 2022 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 2%. That’s in the top 21% 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 updates per vendor instructions.”[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 10.0.10240.19567 or later.Fixed in version 10.0.10240.19567, 10.0.14393.5501, 10.0.17763.3650 and 10.0.19042.2251 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 |
|---|---|
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks, noting that ransomware gangs have used it.[1] | |
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 5.4.[2] | |
| 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 2%.[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 ·
Other incorrect authorization flaws
- CVE-2026-71362, Adobe Commerce and Magento: incorrect authorization ·
- CVE-2026-42016, JFrog Artifactory: incorrect authorization ·
- CVE-2025-54253, Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Forms: experience manager forms code execution ·
- CVE-2025-55177, Meta Platforms WhatsApp: incorrect authorization ·
- CVE-2025-21480, Qualcomm Multiple Chipsets: incorrect authorization ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2022-41128, Microsoft Windows: scripting languages remote code execution ·
- CVE-2022-41125, Microsoft Windows: CNG key isolation service privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2022-41073, Microsoft Windows: print spooler privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2021-25370, Samsung Mobile Devices: memory corruption ·
- CVE-2021-25369, Samsung Mobile Devices: improper access control ·
Every Microsoft flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in November 2022
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Microsoft Windows Mark of the Web (MOTW) Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 8 Nov 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2022-41091 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 9 Nov 2022.
- ^ Microsoft. Advisories and fixes: portal.msrc.microsoft.com, msrc.microsoft.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.019, percentile 79.8, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2022-41091”. 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.