Microsoft Windows is the most widely used PC operating system in the world and millions of users rely on this operating system for their daily work. The reliance on Windows operating system is under the spotlight after a massive outage caused by a faulty CrowdStrike update. Microsoft regularly rolls out updates and patches to fix vulnerabilities or issues that may affect users. However, not everyone installs these updates promptly and this can expose them to great risks. To maintain the security of users, the Indian government has issued a high-level alert for Microsoft Windows users. A remote attacker can gain elevated privileges on the system if the vulnerabilities mentioned in the Indian government alert are not patched. This is the second warning issued this month to Windows users by the Indian government.

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Microsoft Windows users are at risk

The Computer Emergency Response Team-India (CERT-In) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has now issued an alert for Microsoft Windows users in India. According to CERT-In, an elevation of privilege vulnerability has been reported in the Microsoft Windows kernel, which could allow a remote attacker to gain elevated privileges on the target system.

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This vulnerability exists in the Windows Home Kernel component. To successfully exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must overcome race conditions. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges on the target system.

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What can users do to stay safe?

CERT-In has advised users to apply appropriate updates as per vendors' suggestions. The list of affected Microsoft Windows versions is mentioned below.

•⁠ ⁠Windows 10: versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2

•⁠ ⁠Windows 11: versions 21H2, 22H2, 23H2, 24H2

•⁠ ⁠Windows Server 2016 Home (including Server Core installation)

•⁠ ⁠Windows Server 2019 Home (including Server Core installation)

•⁠ ⁠Windows Server 2022 (includes 23H2 edition and Server Core installation)

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