Track vulnerabilities like this one. Sign up free to get alerted when software you use is affected.
7.8

Windows Compatibility Appraiser allows local privilege escalation

CVE-2019-1267 · published 7 years ago
Summary

The Compatibility Appraiser tool in Windows 7, 8.1, 10, and Windows Server 2008 and 2012 can be tricked into using a malicious shortcut or hard link, letting a local user gain higher system rights. This could let an attacker run programs with administrative privileges on the same computer. Install the latest Windows updates that address this issue as soon as possible.

What to do

The CVE record does not list a fixed version. Check the vendor's site or the advisory links below - a fix may already be released.

Affected software
VendorProductAffected versions
microsoft windows_10 1607
1703
1709
1803
1809
1903
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
microsoft windows_7 All versions
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
microsoft windows_8.1 All versions
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
microsoft windows_server_2008 r2
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:itanium:*
microsoft windows_server_2012 r2
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
microsoft windows_server_2016 1803
1903
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
microsoft windows_server_2019 All versions
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Original advisory text
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser where a configuration file, with local privileges, is vulnerable to symbolic link and hard link attacks, aka 'Mic...
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser where a configuration file, with local privileges, is vulnerable to symbolic link and hard link attacks, aka 'Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'.
References
Fix within
Internet-facing 14 days
Internal At next upgrade
  • Not known to be exploited
  • Needs hands-on effort to exploit (estimated)
  • Gives an attacker full control (estimated)
Severity
7.8 High
Exploitation
1% chance of attack within 30 days
Type
CWE-59Link Following
Timeline
Published11 Sep 2019
Updated4 Nov 2026
First seen29 Sep 2026
Sources
CVE-2019-1267 · NVD
Track software like this
Free during beta