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CVE-2013-3900

Microsoft WinVerifyTrust function Remote Code Execution

5.5 MEDIUMActively exploited (CISA KEV)EPSS 44.6%
  1. Published10 Dec 2013
  2. Added to CISA KEV10 Jan 2022
  3. Remediation due10 Jul 2022
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the WinVerifyTrust function handles Windows Authenticode signature verification for PE files.

Added to KEV: 10 Jan 2022Federal remediation due: 10 Jul 2022

Description

Why is Microsoft republishing a CVE from 2013? We are republishing CVE-2013-3900 in the Security Update Guide to update the Security Updates table and to inform customers that the EnableCertPaddingCheck is available in all currently supported versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. While the format is different from the original CVE published in 2013, except for clarifications about how to configure the EnableCertPaddingCheck registry value, the information herein remains unchanged from the original text published on December 10, 2013, Microsoft does not plan to enforce the stricter verification behavior as a default functionality on supported releases of Microsoft Windows. This behavior remains available as an opt-in feature via reg key setting, and is available on supported editions of Windows released since December 10, 2013. This includes all currently supported versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. The supporting code for this reg key was incorporated at the time of release for Windows 10 and Windows 11, so no security update is required; however, the reg key must be set. See the Security Updates table for the list of affected software. Vulnerability Description A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the WinVerifyTrust function handles Windows Authenticode signature verification for portable executable (PE) files. An anonymous attacker could exploit the vulnerability by modifying an existing signed executable file to leverage unverified portions of the file in such a way as to add malicious code to the file without invalidating the signature. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. If a user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. Exploitation of this vulnerability requires that a user or application run or install a specially crafted, signed PE file. An attacker could modify an... See more at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2013-3900

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredNone
User interactionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

Affected products

Microsoft Windows 10 1507all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1607all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1809all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 1909all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 20h2all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 21h1all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 21h2all versions
Microsoft Windows 10 22h2all versions
Microsoft Windows 11 21h2all versions
Microsoft Windows 11 22h2all versions
Microsoft Windows 11 23h2all versions
Microsoft Windows 11 24h2all versions
Microsoft Windows 7all versions
Microsoft Windows 8.1all versions
Microsoft Windows Rt 8.1all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2008r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2012r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2016all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2019all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2022all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2022 23h2all versions
Microsoft Windows Server 2025all versions

Remediation

No fixed version is recorded in the NVD data. Check the vendor advisory for the latest guidance.

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2013-3900 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2013-3900 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 10 Jan 2022.

How severe is CVE-2013-3900?

CVE-2013-3900 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5, rated medium. EPSS estimates a 44.6% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2013-3900?

Affected products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1809, Microsoft Windows 10 1909, Microsoft Windows 10 20h2, and 17 more.

How do I fix CVE-2013-3900?

Apply the vendor's patch or advisory guidance, then verify no affected versions remain across your devices.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2013-3900 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, Secuno flags any affected asset as top-priority automatically. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.