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CVE-2023-36884

Microsoft Windows Search Remote Code Execution

7.5 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)Used in ransomwareEPSS 98.9%
  1. Published11 Jul 2023
  2. Added to CISA KEV17 Jul 2023
  3. Remediation due29 Aug 2023
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

Microsoft Windows Search contains an unspecified vulnerability that could allow an attacker to evade Mark of the Web (MOTW) defenses via a specially crafted malicious file, leading to remote code execution.

Added to KEV: 17 Jul 2023Federal remediation due: 29 Aug 2023Used in ransomware

Description

Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork
Attack complexityHigh
Privileges requiredNone
User interactionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Microsoft Windows 10 1507< 10.0.10240.20107
Microsoft Windows 10 1607< 10.0.14393.6167
Microsoft Windows 10 1809< 10.0.17763.4737
Microsoft Windows 10 21h2< 10.0.19044.3324
Microsoft Windows 10 22h2< 10.0.19044.3324
Microsoft Windows 11 21h2< 10.0.22000.2295
Microsoft Windows 11 22h2< 10.0.22621.2134
Microsoft Windows Server 2008r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2012r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2016< 10.0.14393.6167
Microsoft Windows Server 2019< 10.0.17763.4737
Microsoft Windows Server 2022< 10.0.20348.1903

Remediation

Fixed in
Microsoft Windows 10 1507≥ 10.0.10240.20107
Microsoft Windows 10 1607≥ 10.0.14393.6167
Microsoft Windows 10 1809≥ 10.0.17763.4737
Microsoft Windows 10 21h2≥ 10.0.19044.3324
Microsoft Windows 10 22h2≥ 10.0.19044.3324
Microsoft Windows 11 21h2≥ 10.0.22000.2295
Microsoft Windows 11 22h2≥ 10.0.22621.2134
Microsoft Windows Server 2016≥ 10.0.14393.6167
Microsoft Windows Server 2019≥ 10.0.17763.4737
Microsoft Windows Server 2022≥ 10.0.20348.1903

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2023-36884 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2023-36884 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 17 Jul 2023. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.

How severe is CVE-2023-36884?

CVE-2023-36884 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5, rated high. EPSS estimates a 98.9% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2023-36884?

Affected products include Microsoft Windows 10 1507, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1809, Microsoft Windows 10 21h2, Microsoft Windows 10 22h2, and 7 more.

How do I fix CVE-2023-36884?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Microsoft Windows 10 1507 10.0.10240.20107, Microsoft Windows 10 1607 10.0.14393.6167, Microsoft Windows 10 1809 10.0.17763.4737 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-36884 against the real software inventory on every managed device, as each hourly inventory arrives. 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, a risk for it never ranks below high, and the update that fixes it moves to the Emergency patch lane. 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.