Microsoft Windows up to Server 2012 R2 Media Center privilege escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
7.3$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2012 R2. This affects an unknown part of the component Media Center. The manipulation leads to an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2021-40441. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2012 R2 (Operating System). This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Media Center. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The weakness was released 12/14/2021 as confirmed security guidance (Website). The advisory is shared at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2021-40441. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 10/07/2025).

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2220). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Microsoft Windows 7 x64 Edition Service Pack 1
  • Microsoft Windows RT 8.1
  • Microsoft Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows 10
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2016
  • Hitachi Storage
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2019
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Microsoft Windows Server
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022
  • Microsoft Windows 11

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.3

VulDB Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Temp Score: 7.7
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Vendor Base Score (Microsoft): 7.8
Vendor Vector (Microsoft): 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privilege escalation
CWE: Unknown
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Unproven

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

09/02/2021 🔍
12/14/2021 +103 days 🔍
12/14/2021 +0 days 🔍
12/15/2021 +0 days 🔍
10/07/2025 +1392 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: portal.msrc.microsoft.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2021-40441 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2021-40441
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-188201
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2220 - Microsoft Windows und Microsoft Windows Server: Mehrere Schwachstellen

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20140213

Entryinfo

Created: 12/15/2021 05:14
Updated: 10/07/2025 15:43
Changes: 12/15/2021 05:14 (14), 12/15/2021 05:15 (19), 12/15/2021 05:19 (21), 12/17/2021 10:29 (2), 10/07/2025 15:43 (22)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Discussion

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