CVE-2019-1069 Microsoft Task Scheduler Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the way the Task Scheduler Service validates certain file operations.
From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.
Should You Worry?
- CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 15 Mar 2022.
- CISA lists it as known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
- Rated High severity (CVSS 7.8, scored by Vendor).
- It has been in the catalogue for 1,697 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.
What It Is
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way the Task Scheduler Service validates certain file operations. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could gain elevated privileges on a victim system. To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would require unprivileged code execution on a victim system. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correctly validating file operations.
Affected Versions
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1703 | 10.0.0 to before publication |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1803 | 10.0.0 to before publication |
| Microsoft Windows Server, version 1803 (Server Core Installation) | 10.0.0 to before publication |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 | 10.0.17763.0 to before publication |
| Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 | 10.0.0 to before publication |
| Microsoft Windows Server 2019 | 10.0.17763.0 to before publication |
From the public CVE record, as supplied by the vendor. Always confirm against the vendor advisory.
What To Do Now
- 1
Find it
Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for Microsoft Task Scheduler. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.
Attack Surface Management - 2
- 3
Hunt for compromise
If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.
Incident Response - 4
Prove it is fixed
Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.
Penetration Testing
Vendor Advisories
The Compliance Clock
General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.
Not Sure If You Are Exposed?
Our attack surface and vulnerability teams can check your internet-facing estate for CVE-2019-1069 and every other exploited flaw on the list.