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Exploited in the wildComputers & everyday appsCould reach you

CVE-2022-34713 Microsoft Windows: command or code injection

In plain words: The program treats text it receives as instructions instead of plain data. The attacker can run commands on the machine — often the whole device is taken over.

Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Aug 30, 2022

What to do

  1. Install Microsoft's security update for Windows. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
  2. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
  3. Be careful with unexpected attachments — documents, .zip/.rar files and shortcuts are common bait.
  4. Use a normal (non-admin) account day to day and keep built-in protection like Microsoft Defender on.

Read Microsoft's advisory ↗

Who is affected

Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.

What's at risk: Your files, saved passwords and accounts. Many of these let a program that is already running gain full administrator control.

The details

Official name
Microsoft Windows Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Product
Microsoft Windows
CISA description
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Microsoft Windows MSDT is called using the URL protocol from a calling application.
Type of flaw
Command or code injection
Confirmed exploited
Aug 9, 2022
US federal patch deadline
Aug 30, 2022

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Answering about CVE-2022-34713 ·

Questions about CVE-2022-34713

Is CVE-2022-34713 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2022-34713 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Aug 9, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.

How do I fix CVE-2022-34713?

Install Microsoft's security update for Windows. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.

Am I affected by CVE-2022-34713?

Only if you use Microsoft Windows. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.

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