Vulnerability identifier: #VU72184

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 8.5 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-21805

CWE-ID: CWE-94

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Windows
Operating systems & Components / Operating system
Windows Server
Operating systems & Components / Operating system
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Client/Desktop applications / Web browsers

Vendor: Microsoft

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation in Windows MSHTML Platform within the processing of certain image file types that can contain script tags. A remote attacker can trick the victim to open a specially crafted web page and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows: 10 1809 10.0.17763.1, 10 20H2 10.0.19042.572, 11 21H2 10.0.22000.194, 10 1607 10.0.14393.10, 11 22H2 10.0.22621.521, 10 22H2 10.0.19045.2130, 10 21H2 10.0.19044.1288, 10 21H1 10.0.19043.985, 10 1507 10.0.10240.16405, 10 2004 10.0.19041.264, 10 1909 10.0.18363.476, 10 1903 10.0.18362.116, 10 1803 10.0.17134.48, 10 1709 10.0.16299.19, 10 1703 10.0.15063.138, 10 1511 10.0.10586.3

Windows Server: 2008 - 2022 20H2

Microsoft Internet Explorer: 11 - 11.1790.17763.0

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External links
http://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2023-21805
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-164/

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.