CVE-2019-1405 Microsoft Windows: 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 5, 2022
What to do
- Install Microsoft's security update for Windows. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Patch edge devices first — attackers often start scanning for them within hours of a fix.
- Never expose the device's admin page to the internet.
- After patching a device that was exposed, follow the vendor's compromise checks, end active sessions and change passwords.
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: They face the internet and guard the whole network, so a flaw here can hand attackers a way in — and these devices usually run no antivirus, so break-ins go unnoticed.
The details
- Official name
- Microsoft Windows Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) Service Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
- Product
- Microsoft Windows
- CISA description
- A privilege escalation vulnerability exists when the Windows UPnP service improperly allows COM object creation.
- Type of flaw
- Privilege escalation
- Confirmed exploited
- Mar 15, 2022 — known to be used in ransomware attacks
- US federal patch deadline
- Apr 5, 2022
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Answering about CVE-2019-1405 ·
Questions about CVE-2019-1405
Is CVE-2019-1405 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2019-1405 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Mar 15, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks, including by ransomware groups.
How do I fix CVE-2019-1405?
Install Microsoft's security update for Windows. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Patch edge devices first — attackers often start scanning for them within hours of a fix.
Am I affected by CVE-2019-1405?
Only if you use Microsoft Windows. Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.