Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2019-1064 lets a logged-in attacker gain higher privileges on affected Windows systems. The flaw is in how the Windows AppX Deployment Service handles hard links. If exploited, it could allow installing programs or viewing, changing, or deleting data. CISA lists it as known exploited, so unresolved exposure should be treated as urgent.
Executive priority
High priority for any remaining affected Windows assets. This is not remotely exploitable by itself, but it is a proven exploitation target that can turn a low-privilege foothold into elevated control. Prioritize internet-facing support systems, shared workstations, and servers where users or service accounts can log on.
Technical view
This is a local Windows elevation-of-privilege issue in AppXSVC, mapped to CWE-59. Exploitation requires local logon and running a crafted application. Successful exploitation runs processes in an elevated context. Microsoft rates it CVSS 3.1 7.8 with low attack complexity, low privileges required, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on unpatched affected Windows 10 versions 1607 through 1903, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, and listed Server Core installations. Systems that allow broad interactive logon or unmanaged application execution carry higher practical risk.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by CISA KEV inclusion. The provided sources do not describe exploit scale, attacker groups, or public weaponization details. Because the attack requires local access, this is most dangerous after phishing, stolen credentials, malware execution, or other initial access.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports a local EoP via improper hard-link handling in AppXSVC. The source bundle confirms Microsoft update availability and KEV status, but does not include detailed exploit mechanics or observed campaign data. Avoid assuming unsupported Windows versions or mitigations beyond Microsoft guidance and standard local-execution controls.
Mitigation direction
- Apply the relevant Microsoft security update for each affected Windows version.
- Prioritize remediation because CISA lists CVE-2019-1064 in KEV.
- Check MSRC guidance for exact affected builds and update requirements.
- Limit local logon rights on servers and privileged workstations.
- Use application control where feasible to reduce untrusted local execution.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows 10 and Windows Server builds against the MSRC affected list.
- Verify the applicable Microsoft security update is installed on each affected host.
- Confirm vulnerability scanner findings are cleared after patch deployment.
- Review endpoint telemetry for suspicious local privilege escalation behavior.
- Track remediation status separately for Server Core systems.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-59: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupPrivilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2019-1064 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- Windows Elevation of Privilege VulnerabilityCVE reference · vendor-advisory
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2019-1064CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC, x_transferred
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-1064CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.