CVE-2014-4077 Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese: privilege escalation
In plain words: Something running with limited rights can promote itself to full control. Turns a small foothold (like a malicious app) into administrator or system-level access.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Jun 15, 2022
What to do
- Install Microsoft's security update for Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Keep a list of every internet-facing server you run so nothing is forgotten.
- Patch anything in this catalog first, ahead of normal patch cycles.
- Put admin and file-transfer apps behind a VPN or single sign-on instead of the open internet.
Who is affected
Work IT. Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.
What's at risk: Mass data theft and ransomware: a single flaw in a file-transfer or email server has exposed thousands of organisations at once.
The details
- Official name
- Microsoft IME Japanese Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
- Product
- Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese
- CISA description
- Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese is a keyboard with Japanese characters that can be enabled on Windows systems as it is included by default (with the default set as disabled). IME Japanese contains an unspecified vulnerability when IMJPDCT.EXE (IME for Japanese) is installed which allows attackers to bypass a sandbox and perform privilege escalation.
- Type of flaw
- Privilege escalation (CWE-264)
- Confirmed exploited
- May 25, 2022
- US federal patch deadline
- Jun 15, 2022
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Answering about CVE-2014-4077 ·
Questions about CVE-2014-4077
Is CVE-2014-4077 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2014-4077 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on May 25, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2014-4077?
Install Microsoft's security update for Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Keep a list of every internet-facing server you run so nothing is forgotten.
Am I affected by CVE-2014-4077?
Only if you use Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese. Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.