Microsoft Windows Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Priority LOW 32CWE-798Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Privilege escalation
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from Microsoft.
Summary
Use of hard-coded credentials in Windows Hardware Lab Kit allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00401 34th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed Windows 10 HLK version 20H2 (Microsoft): 10.1.19041.5609Windows 10 HLK version 21H1 (Microsoft): 10.1.19041.5609+9 more products
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Windows 10 HLK version 20H2 | 1.0.0 to before 10.1.19041.5609 | 10.1.19041.5609 | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 HLK version 21H1 | 1.0.0 to before 10.1.19041.5609 | 10.1.19041.5609 | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 HLK version 21H2 | 1.0.0 to before 10.1.19041.5609 | 10.1.19041.5609 | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 HLK Version 22H2 | 1.0.0 to before 10.1.19041.5609 | 10.1.19041.5609 | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 HLK 22H2 | 1.0.0 to before 10.1.22621.5040 | 10.1.22621.5040 | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 HLK 24H2 | 1.0.0 to before 10.1.26100.3478 | 10.1.26100.3478 | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Windows HLK for Windows 10 version 2004 | 1.0.0 to before 10.1.19041.5609 | 10.1.19041.5609 | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Windows HLK for Windows Server 2019 | 1.0.0 to before 10.1.17763.7010 | 10.1.17763.7010 | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Windows HLK for Windows Server 2022 | 1.0.0 to before 10.1.20348.3330 | 10.1.20348.3330 | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Windows HLK for Windows Server 2025 | 1.0.0 to before 10.1.26100.3478 | 10.1.26100.3478 | Patch available | CNA |
| Microsoft | Windows HLK, version 1809 | 1.0.0 to before 10.1.17763.7010 | 10.1.17763.7010 | Patch available | CNA |
- Windows 10 HLK version 20H2 VendorMicrosoft Affected 1.0.0 to before 10.1.19041.5609 Fixed in 10.1.19041.5609 Patch available CNA
- Windows 10 HLK version 21H1 VendorMicrosoft Affected 1.0.0 to before 10.1.19041.5609 Fixed in 10.1.19041.5609 Patch available CNA
- Windows 10 HLK version 21H2 VendorMicrosoft Affected 1.0.0 to before 10.1.19041.5609 Fixed in 10.1.19041.5609 Patch available CNA
- Windows 10 HLK Version 22H2 VendorMicrosoft Affected 1.0.0 to before 10.1.19041.5609 Fixed in 10.1.19041.5609 Patch available CNA
- Windows 11 HLK 22H2 VendorMicrosoft Affected 1.0.0 to before 10.1.22621.5040 Fixed in 10.1.22621.5040 Patch available CNA
- Windows 11 HLK 24H2 VendorMicrosoft Affected 1.0.0 to before 10.1.26100.3478 Fixed in 10.1.26100.3478 Patch available CNA
- Windows HLK for Windows 10 version 2004 VendorMicrosoft Affected 1.0.0 to before 10.1.19041.5609 Fixed in 10.1.19041.5609 Patch available CNA
- Windows HLK for Windows Server 2019 VendorMicrosoft Affected 1.0.0 to before 10.1.17763.7010 Fixed in 10.1.17763.7010 Patch available CNA
- Windows HLK for Windows Server 2022 VendorMicrosoft Affected 1.0.0 to before 10.1.20348.3330 Fixed in 10.1.20348.3330 Patch available CNA
- Windows HLK for Windows Server 2025 VendorMicrosoft Affected 1.0.0 to before 10.1.26100.3478 Fixed in 10.1.26100.3478 Patch available CNA
- Windows HLK, version 1809 VendorMicrosoft Affected 1.0.0 to before 10.1.17763.7010 Fixed in 10.1.17763.7010 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 16
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_hardware_lab_kit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 10.1.17763.7010 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_hardware_lab_kit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 10.1.19041.5609 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_2004:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_20h2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_hardware_lab_kit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 10.1.20348.3330 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_hardware_lab_kit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 10.1.17763.7010 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_hardware_lab_kit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 10.1.19041.5609 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_2004:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_20h2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_hardware_lab_kit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 10.1.20348.3330 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
Show 6 more CPE
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_hardware_lab_kit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 10.1.22621.5040 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_22h2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_hardware_lab_kit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 10.1.26100.3478 | Vulnerable | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_hardware_lab_kit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 10.1.22621.5040 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_22h2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:windows_hardware_lab_kit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 10.1.26100.3478 Vulnerable ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Windows 10 HLK version 20H2 (Microsoft) Fixed in 10.1.19041.5609
- Fix · CNA Windows 10 HLK version 21H1 (Microsoft) Fixed in 10.1.19041.5609
- Fix · CNA Windows 10 HLK version 21H2 (Microsoft) Fixed in 10.1.19041.5609
- Fix · CNA Windows 10 HLK Version 22H2 (Microsoft) Fixed in 10.1.19041.5609
- Fix · CNA Windows 11 HLK 22H2 (Microsoft) Fixed in 10.1.22621.5040
- Fix · CNA Windows 11 HLK 24H2 (Microsoft) Fixed in 10.1.26100.3478
- Fix · CNA Windows HLK for Windows 10 version 2004 (Microsoft) Fixed in 10.1.19041.5609
- Fix · CNA Windows HLK for Windows Server 2019 (Microsoft) Fixed in 10.1.17763.7010
- Fix · CNA Windows HLK for Windows Server 2022 (Microsoft) Fixed in 10.1.20348.3330
- Fix · CNA Windows HLK for Windows Server 2025 (Microsoft) Fixed in 10.1.26100.3478
- Fix · CNA Windows HLK, version 1809 (Microsoft) Fixed in 10.1.17763.7010
Vendor assessments
Microsoft
Microsoft's page for this CVE →
- Impact
- Elevation of Privilege
- Exploited
- No
- Publicly disclosed
- No
- Exploitability
- Exploitation Less Likely
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 HLK Version 22H2 | Fixed | 10.1.19041.5609 · Security Update |
| Windows 10 HLK version 20H2 | Fixed | 10.1.19041.5609 · Security Update |
| Windows 10 HLK version 21H1 | Fixed | 10.1.19041.5609 · Security Update |
| Windows 10 HLK version 21H2 | Fixed | 10.1.19041.5609 · Security Update |
| Windows 11 HLK 22H2 | Fixed | 10.1.22621.5040 · Security Update |
| Windows 11 HLK 24H2 | Fixed | 10.1.26100.3478 · Security Update |
| Windows HLK for Windows 10 version 2004 | Fixed | 10.1.19041.5609 · Security Update |
| Windows HLK for Windows Server 2019 | Fixed | 10.1.17763.7010 · Security Update |
| Windows HLK for Windows Server 2022 | Fixed | 10.1.20348.3330 · Security Update |
| Windows HLK for Windows Server 2025 | Fixed | 10.1.26100.3478 · Security Update |
| Windows HLK, version 1809 | Fixed | 10.1.17763.7010 · Security Update |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-27488
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-jmqx-9m4w-qghh
Sources
- CVE-2025-27488 · CVE Program
- CVE-2025-27488 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-jmqx-9m4w-qghh · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2025-27488 · Microsoft Security Update Guide
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