CVE-2021-43890

KEV
Published: Dic 15, 2021 Last Modified: Feb 25, 2026
ExploitDB:
Other exploit source:
Google Dorks:
HIGH 7,1
Attack Vector: network
Attack Complexity: high
Privileges Required: low
User Interaction: required
Scope: unchanged
Confidentiality: high
Integrity: high
Availability: high
MEDIUM 6,0
Access Vector: network
Access Complexity: medium
Authentication: single
Confidentiality: partial
Integrity: partial
Availability: partial

Description

AI Translation Available

We have investigated reports of a spoofing vulnerability in AppX installer that affects Microsoft Windows. Microsoft is aware of attacks that attempt to exploit this vulnerability by using specially crafted packages that include the malware family known as Emotet/Trickbot/Bazaloader.
An attacker could craft a malicious attachment to be used in phishing campaigns. The attacker would then have to convince the user to open the specially crafted attachment. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
Please see the Security Updates table for the link to the updated app. Alternatively you can download and install the Installer using the links provided in the FAQ section.
Please see the Mitigations and Workaround sections for important information about steps you can take to protect your system from this vulnerability.
December 27 2023 Update:
In recent months, Microsoft Threat Intelligence has seen an increase in activity from threat actors leveraging social engineering and phishing techniques to target Windows OS users and utilizing the ms-appinstaller URI scheme.
To address this increase in activity, we have updated the App Installer to disable the ms-appinstaller protocol by default and recommend other potential mitigations.

EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System)

Trend Analysis

EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System)

Prevede la probabilità di sfruttamento basata su intelligence sulle minacce e sulle caratteristiche della vulnerabilità.

EPSS Score
0,1291
Percentile
0,9th
Updated

EPSS Score Trend (Last 91 Days)

Application

App Installer by Microsoft

Version Range Affected
To 1.11 (exclusive)
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:app_installer:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Common Platform Enumeration - Standardized vulnerability identification
Application

App Installer by Microsoft

Version Range Affected
To 1.16 (exclusive)
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:app_installer:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Common Platform Enumeration - Standardized vulnerability identification
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021…
https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil/pull/26
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-438…
https://thehackernews.com/2023/12/microsoft-disables-msix-app-installer.html
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-disables-msix-protoco…
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2023/12/28/financially-motivated-…
https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil/pull/26
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-438…
https://thehackernews.com/2023/12/microsoft-disables-msix-app-installer.html
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-disables-msix-protoco…
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2023/12/28/financially-motivated-…