CVE-2002-0367: Microsoft Windows Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2002-0367 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 03-03-2022. EPSS estimates a 4.92% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 92% of scored vulnerabilities. 2 public exploits are recorded.

Timeline

1. 02-04-2003
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 03-03-2022
   Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft Windows Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
3. 24-03-2022
   CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
4. 22-10-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

smss.exe debugging subsystem in Windows NT and Windows 2000 does not properly authenticate programs that connect to other programs, which allows local users to gain administrator or SYSTEM privileges by duplicating a handle to a privileged process, as demonstrated by DebPloit.

• CWE-269Improper Privilege ManagementThe product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.