Exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

Is CVE-2022-44698 exploited? Yes: in CISA KEV since 13 Dec 2022

Gociux · Microsoft Defender · data: CISA KEV, CVE record, FIRST EPSS

Yes. CVE-2022-44698, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability, is being exploited in the wild. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 13 Dec 2022, the day it was published. It is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. It affects Microsoft Defender. If you run it, CISA's required action is: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

What it is

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.

What to do

1. Check whether you run it. Look for Defender in your asset inventory, including appliances and cloud images. Stack check lists every exploited Microsoft CVE at once.
2. Apply the fix. Apply updates per vendor instructions.
3. If you can't patch today, take the affected service off the internet or restrict who can reach it, and check its logs for signs of compromise since 13 Dec 2022.
4. Get told next time. Email alerts when CISA adds a CVE for Microsoft.

Other exploited CVEs in Defender

• CVE-2026-41091: Microsoft Defender Link Following Vulnerability (20 May 2026)
• CVE-2026-45498: Microsoft Defender Denial of Service Vulnerability (20 May 2026)
• CVE-2026-33825: Microsoft Defender Insufficient Granularity of Access Control Vulnerability (22 Apr 2026)
• CVE-2021-1647: Microsoft Defender Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (3 Nov 2021)

References

• msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-44698
• nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-44698

Sources: CISA KEV (exploitation, ransomware use, required action, due date), the CVE record (publication date, CVSS, CNA), NVD and FIRST EPSS (live score). More: all KEV additions in December 2022 · Microsoft scorecard · act-now radar.