IRONSMITHINTEL
MEDIUMCVSS5.4
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2022-44698|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

KB5021233: Windows Server Security Update (December 2022)

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen contains a security feature bypass vulnerability that could allow an attacker to evade Mark of the Web (MOTW) defenses via a specially crafted malicious file.

Published Dec 13, 2022 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve partial data exposure, partial data tampering, partial service disruption. CISA has confirmed use of this vulnerability in known ransomware campaigns — treat as high priority for remediation. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2023-01-03 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This vulnerability affects Microsoft Defender. Windows SmartScreen Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and user interaction required.

📧

Phishing link

→

🖼

Malicious file

🔓

Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

●IT Security
●Running windows 10 1607: v < 10.0.14393.5582; windows 10 1809: v < 10.0.17763.3770; windows 10 20h2: v < 10.0.19042.2364; windows 10 21h1: v < 10.0.19043.2364; windows 10 21h2: v < 10.0.19044.2364; windows 10 22h2: v < 10.0.19045.2364; windows 11 21h2: v < 10.0.22000.1335; windows server 2016: v < 10.0.14393.5582; windows server 2019: v < 10.0.17763.3770; windows server 2022: v < 10.0.20348.1366
Fixed inKB5021233, KB5021234, KB5021235, KB5021237, KB5021249 (applies to 21 product versions) — build 10.0.14393.5582, 10.0.17763.3770+
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA confirms this CVE has been used in known ransomware campaigns. Added to the KEV catalog on 2022-12-13; federal agencies required to remediate by 2023-01-03.

How to patch

Manual download

For air-gapped servers or out-of-band deployment. Microsoft Update Catalog returns every OS-version variant of this update.

↗ Microsoft Update CatalogKB5021233

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Microsoft Security Update

Microsoft has released an official security update that fixes this vulnerability.

Required KB Updates

    1
    KB5021233 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5021233
    1
    KB5021234 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5021234
    1
    KB5021235 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5021235
    1
    KB5021237 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5021237
    1
    KB5021249 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5021249

Supersedes: KB5019081, KB5019959, KB5019961, KB5019964, KB5019966

Affected Products

    1
    Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 1809 for ARM64-based Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 20H2 for 32-bit Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 20H2 for ARM64-based Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 21H1 for 32-bit Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 21H1 for ARM64-based Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 21H1 for x64-based Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 21H2 for 32-bit Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 22H2 for 32-bit Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 22H2 for ARM64-based Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems
    1
    Windows 11 version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems
    1
    Windows 11 version 21H2 for x64-based Systems
    1
    Windows Server 2016
    1
    Windows Server 2019
    1
    (…1 more product versions)

Fixed Build Numbers

    1
    10.0.14393.5582
    1
    10.0.17763.3770
    1
    10.0.19042.2364
    1
    10.0.19043.2364
    1
    10.0.19044.2364
    1
    10.0.19045.2364
    1
    10.0.20348.1366
    1
    10.0.22000.1335

Installation Methods

Windows Update (recommended)

1
Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
2
The security update is offered if your system is in scope
3
Restart when prompted — a reboot IS required to complete the install

Microsoft Update Catalog (manual download)

1
Open https://catalog.update.microsoft.com
2
Search for KB5021233
3
Download the package matching your OS architecture and Windows build
4
Run the .msu installer with administrator privileges
5
Restart when prompted

WSUS / SCCM / Intune

Approve KB5021233 for the affected products in your update management console.

Microsoft Download Center Links

    1
    https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB5021233
    1
    https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB5021234
    1
    https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB5021235
    1
    https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB5021237
    1
    https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB5021249

Verification

Confirm the update is installed:

Get-HotFix | Where-Object { $_.HotFixID -in @('KB5021233','KB5021234','KB5021235','KB5021237','KB5021249') }

References

    1
    Microsoft Security Response Center: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-44698
    1
    KB article: https://support.microsoft.com/help/5021233
    1
    KB article: https://support.microsoft.com/help/5021234
    1
    KB article: https://support.microsoft.com/help/5021235
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-44698
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-44698

Discovery Credit

Will Dormann

PowerShell automationComing soon

No tested PowerShell script for this entry yet. We’re prioritising automation based on user demand.

References

↗ CVE-2022-44698↗ MSRC Advisory↗ NVD↗ KBKB5021233