Overview
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.
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-44698; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-44698
Key Details
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| CVE ID | CVE-2022-44698 |
| Vendor / Product | Microsoft — Defender |
| NVD Published | 2022-12-13 |
| NVD Last Modified | 2025-10-30 |
| CVSS 3.1 Score | 5.4 |
| CVSS 3.1 Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L |
| Severity | MEDIUM |
| CISA KEV Added | 2022-12-13 |
| CISA KEV Deadline | 2023-01-03 |
| Known Ransomware Use | ⚠️ Yes |
CVSS 3.1 Breakdown
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
Low
Availability
Low
Required Action
CISA BOD 22-01 Deadline: 2023-01-03.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2022-12-13 | Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog |
| 2023-01-03 | CISA BOD 22-01 remediation deadline |
References
| Resource | Type |
|---|---|
| NVD — CVE-2022-44698 | Vulnerability Database |
| CISA KEV Catalog Entry | US Government |