Windows Out-of-Box-Experience Flaw Enables Full Administrative Command Prompt Access

A newly documented vulnerability in Windows’ Out-of-Box-Experience (OOBE) allows users to bypass security restrictions and gain full administrative access to command prompt functionality, even when Microsoft’s intended protective measures are in place.

Security researchers have identified an alternative method to exploit Windows OOBE that circumvents the well-known Shift+F10 keyboard shortcut restrictions.

The vulnerability enables users to spawn an elevated command shell with administrative privileges through the defaultuser0 account, which maintains membership in the local Administrators group during the initial setup process.

The Traditional Attack Vector

The Shift+F10 keyboard shortcut has long been recognized as a security concern within OOBE environments.

This shortcut traditionally allowed users to access an elevated command prompt during the initial Windows setup phase.

Microsoft addressed this vulnerability by enabling administrators to disable the shortcut through placement of an empty file named DisableCMDRequest.tag in the C:\Windows\Setup\Scripts\ directory.

New Exploitation Method Discovered

However, researchers have now demonstrated that the protective measure proves insufficient. The newly identified attack vector utilizes the Windows+R keyboard combination to launch the Run dialog, bypassing the Shift+F10 restrictions entirely.

The exploitation process requires users to first open an accessibility tool such as Magnifier (Magnify.exe) to establish window focus.

Subsequently, pressing Windows+R spawns the Run dialog in the background. While initially invisible, users can reveal the dialog using Alt+Tab to cycle through available windows.

Once the Run dialog gains focus, attackers can type cmd.exe and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to trigger an elevation prompt.

Accepting the User Account Control (UAC) prompt opens an elevated command prompt with full administrative privileges, operating under the defaultuser0 context.

This vulnerability presents significant security risks, particularly in corporate environments where users might exploit push-button reset functionality through Microsoft Intune Company Portal.

Malicious actors could create backdoor accounts, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access mechanisms.

Microsoft has classified this behavior as a “won’t-fix” issue, stating that OOBE operates within an administrative session by design, and leaving devices unattended during setup is equivalent to maintaining an unlocked machine.

Organizations can protect against exploitation by modifying Intune policies to hide the reset button on corporate Windows devices.

Administrators should navigate to the Microsoft Intune admin center, select Tenant administration, then Customization, and ensure the “Hide reset button on corporate Windows devices” option is enabled.

The discovery underscores the inherent security challenges of OOBE’s privileged execution context and highlights the importance of controlling user access to device reset functionality in managed environments.

AWS Security Services: 10-Point Executive Checklist - Download for Free

Keep your files stored safely and securely with the SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD. With over 69,505 ratings and an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars, this product has been purchased over 8K+ times in the past month. At only $129.99, this Amazon’s Choice product is a must-have for secure file storage.

Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Order now for just $129.99 on Amazon!

Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support

If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress.

As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you!