An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC) improperly handles hard links. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run processes in an elevated context. An attacker could then install programs; view, change or delete data.
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerability and take control of an affected system.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Windows AppX Deployment Service handles hard links.
Severity
CVSS 3.1
7.8 high
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS
6.9% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days; higher than 94% of CVEs (scores of 2026-10-31)
CISA KEV
listed 2022-03-15, due 2022-04-05, known ransomware use