Horizon Alert
Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters
Certain versions of Microsoft Windows are affected by a vulnerability within the Power Dependency Coordinator. This flaw allows an attacker with local access to elevate their privileges. The potential impact includes unauthorized access to sensitive data, system modification, and disruption of services.
- Windows operating system component
- Local privilege elevation
- Unauthorized system access
Attack Path
How an attacker could exploit the issue
This vulnerability impacts Microsoft Windows systems by allowing an attacker with local access to elevate their privileges to the SYSTEM level. Attackers can leverage this by first gaining access to a vulnerable system and then executing malicious code. This action allows the attacker to gain the highest level of control over the affected system.
- Local access required for exposure.
- Attacker executes code locally.
- Results in SYSTEM-level control.
Live Threat
Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context
This vulnerability presents a significant risk due to its potential for privilege escalation, allowing a local attacker to gain SYSTEM-level access. The exploitability is considered low, requiring only local access and low privileges, with no user interaction needed. The damage could be severe, granting an attacker complete control over the affected machine, which could lead to data compromise or further system manipulation. This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild and has been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, indicating a high level of urgency for affected organizations.
- Likely attacker skill level: Low.
- Required access or conditions: Local access required.
- Business risk or urgency: High urgency; actively exploited.
Priority actions
Operational Fix
Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps
This vulnerability in the Windows Power Dependency Coordinator could allow an attacker with local access to elevate their privileges to SYSTEM level, potentially impacting system integrity and data confidentiality. Organizations should take immediate steps to identify and mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
- Find affected Windows assets.
- Reduce exposure or isolate risk.
- Apply the vendor fix.
- Validate the fix.
- Monitor for related issues.
