CVE-2023-36884Exploited in the wildNVD status: Analyzed
Microsoft Windows Search Remote Code Execution
CVE-2023-36884 is a high-severity concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization vulnerability in Windows 10 Version 1507 from Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 10.0.10240.20107 as the first without the flaw, so updating Windows 10 Version 1507 to that release or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on July 17, 2023, which means attacks have been observed in the wild, including in ransomware campaigns.
Patch now
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update Windows 10 Version 1507 to 10.0.10240.20107 or a later version.
- Update Windows 10 Version 1607 to 10.0.14393.6167 or a later version.
- Update Windows 10 Version 1809 to 10.0.17763.4737 or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- Read the advisory on msrc.microsoft.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1507 | 10.0.10240.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.10240.20107 | 10.0.10240.20107 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1607 | 10.0.14393.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.14393.6167 | 10.0.14393.6167 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1809 | 10.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.4737; 10.0.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.4737 | 10.0.17763.4737 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 21H2 | 10.0.19044.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.19044.3324 | 10.0.19044.3324 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 22H2 | 10.0.19045.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.19045.3324 | 10.0.19045.3324 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 version 21H2 | 10.0.22000.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.22000.2295 | 10.0.22000.2295 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 version 22H2 | 10.0.22621.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.22621.2134 | 10.0.22621.2134 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 | 6.0.6003.0 up to, but not including, 6.0.6003.22216 | 6.0.6003.22216 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 | 6.1.7601.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.7601.26664 | 6.1.7601.26664 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation) | 6.1.7601.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.7601.26664 | 6.1.7601.26664 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) | 6.0.6003.0 up to, but not including, 6.0.6003.22216 | 6.0.6003.22216 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 | 6.2.9200.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.9200.24414 | 6.2.9200.24414 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) | 6.2.9200.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.9200.24414 | 6.2.9200.24414 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 R2 | 6.3.9600.0 up to, but not including, 6.3.9600.21503 | 6.3.9600.21503 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) | 6.3.9600.0 up to, but not including, 6.3.9600.21503 | 6.3.9600.21503 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2016 | 10.0.14393.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.14393.6167 | 10.0.14393.6167 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) | 10.0.14393.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.14393.6167 | 10.0.14393.6167 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2019 | 10.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.4737 | 10.0.17763.4737 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) | 10.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.4737 | 10.0.17763.4737 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2022 | 10.0.20348.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.20348.1906 | 10.0.20348.1906 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 1507 | before 10.0.10240.20107 | 10.0.10240.20107 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 1607 | before 10.0.14393.6167 | 10.0.14393.6167 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 1809 | before 10.0.17763.4737 | 10.0.17763.4737 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 21h2 | before 10.0.19044.3324 | 10.0.19044.3324 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 22h2 | before 10.0.19044.3324 | 10.0.19044.3324 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 3 further products are omitted here. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA (microsoft.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization
The product contains a concurrent code sequence that requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence operating concurrently.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- In languages that support it, use synchronization primitives. Only wrap these around critical code to minimize the impact on performance.
- Use thread-safe capabilities such as the data access abstraction in Spring.
- Minimize the usage of shared resources in order to remove as much complexity as possible from the control flow and to reduce the likelihood of unexpected conditions occurring. Additionally, this will minimize the amount of synchronization necessary and may even help to reduce the likelihood of a denial of service where an attacker may be able to repeatedly trigger a critical section (CWE-400).
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-36884US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in Windows 10 Version 1507
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
Recent Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization vulnerabilities
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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