CVE-2022-42045

MEDIUM EXPLOITED

Zemana AntiMalware and Watchdog Anti-Malware - Arbitrary Code Injection

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2022-42045 has been observed exploited in the wild (reported by VulnCheck KEV). EIP tracks 1 public exploit from researchers including ReCryptLLC.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This PoC demonstrates a local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerability in Zemana Anti-Malware's kernel driver (amsdk.sys, zam64.sys, zamguard64.sys) by injecting arbitrary shellcode into a driver section with RWX permissions and executing it in kernel mode. The exploit leverages IOCTL calls to manipulate driver memory and bypass security mechanisms like Driver Signature Enforcement.

Description

Certain Zemana products are vulnerable to Arbitrary code injection. This affects Watchdog Anti-Malware 4.1.422 and Zemana AntiMalware 3.2.28.

Exploits (1)

nomisec WORKING POC 39 stars
by ReCryptLLC · local
https://github.com/ReCryptLLC/CVE-2022-42045

This PoC demonstrates a local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerability in Zemana Anti-Malware's kernel driver (amsdk.sys, zam64.sys, zamguard64.sys) by injecting arbitrary shellcode into a driver section with RWX permissions and executing it in kernel mode. The exploit leverages IOCTL calls to manipulate driver memory and bypass security mechanisms like Driver Signature Enforcement.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Zemana Anti-Malware (amsdk.sys, zam64.sys, zamguard64.sys) versions including Watchdog Anti-Malware 4.1.422 and Zemana AntiMalware 3.2.28
Auth required
Prerequisites: Local admin access · Presence of vulnerable Zemana driver
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (1)

Core 1

Scores

CVSS v3 6.7
EPSS 0.0056
EPSS Percentile 41.9%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Details

VulnCheck KEV 2025-06-18
CWE
CWE-94
Status published
Products (2)
watchdog/anti-virus 4.1.422
zemana/antimalware 3.2.28
Published Jul 13, 2023
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026