Full Report
Microsoft has silently fixed an issue that broke Start Menu jump lists for all apps on systems running Windows 10, version 22H2. [...]
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Windows 10 Start Menu Right-Click Issue Post Update KB5052077
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: Not specified in the article. This appears to be a vendor-isolated bug fixed via update channel rather than a publicly tracked CVE.
- CVSS Score: N/A
- CWE: N/A (Related to potential improper handling of application jump lists/metadata)
## Affected Systems
- Products: Windows 10 (Home and Pro editions are specifically mentioned as primarily affected)
- Versions: Systems that installed updates released on or after February 25, 2025 (KB5052077).
- Configurations: Affected users who have not yet received the compensating fix.
## Vulnerability Description
A bug was introduced following the installation of Windows 10 updates released on or after February 25, 2025 (specifically mentioning KB5052077) that caused jump lists (the recent list of files shown when right-clicking an app tile in the Start menu) for some applications to stop functioning as expected. Microsoft paused the rollout causing the issue on April 25, 2025.
## Exploitation
- Status: Not applicable/Not exploited in the wild (Described as a functional bug corrected by Microsoft).
- Complexity: Low (Behavioral issue, not an arbitrary code execution vulnerability).
- Attack Vector: Local (Interaction with the Start Menu UI).
## Impact
- Confidentiality: Low (Functionality degradation, potential minor exposure of file metadata if the bug caused unexpected logging).
- Integrity: Low (Functionality degradation of the Start Menu feature).
- Availability: Low (Partial degradation of user interface functionality).
## Remediation
### Patches
The issue was expected to be automatically resolved for affected users after April 25, 2025, when Microsoft paused the faulty update rollout. The specific compensating fix rollout is implied to be automatic via Windows Update.
### Workarounds
Affected users who are still experiencing the issue are advised to:
1. Ensure their device is connected to the internet to receive the automatic fix.
2. Restart their systems as soon as possible to ensure the fix is applied.
## Detection
- Indicators of Compromise: Right-click context menus for application tiles in the Windows 10 Start Menu do not display the expected "recent file list" or jump list functionality.
- Detection methods and tools: Manual verification of Start Menu application context menus.
## References
- Vendor Advisories: Microsoft Release Health Status for Windows 10, 22H2 (mentioning resolution status after April 25, 2025).
- Relevant links - defanged:
- hxxps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/status-windows-10-22h2#start-menu-jump-lists-for-some-apps-might-not-work-as-expected-on-windows-10