CVE-2014-6324 Microsoft Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC): 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 Apr 15, 2022
What to do
- Install Microsoft's security update for Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC). 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 Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC) Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
- Product
- Microsoft Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC)
- CISA description
- The Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC) in Microsoft allows remote authenticated domain users to obtain domain administrator privileges.
- Type of flaw
- Privilege escalation (CWE-264)
- Confirmed exploited
- Mar 25, 2022
- US federal patch deadline
- Apr 15, 2022
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Answering about CVE-2014-6324 ·
Questions about CVE-2014-6324
Is CVE-2014-6324 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2014-6324 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Mar 25, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2014-6324?
Install Microsoft's security update for Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC). 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-2014-6324?
Only if you use Microsoft Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC). Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.