How severe is CVE-2017-11771?

CVE-2017-11771 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-11771 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 64% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-11771?

CVE-2017-11771 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-11771?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2017-11771 published?

CVE-2017-11771 was published on 2017-10-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-11771

CVE-2017-11771 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 64% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 64% (99th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10
Published: 2017-10-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The Microsoft Windows Search component on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, and 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows a remote code execution vulnerability when it fails to properly handle DNS responses, aka "Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability".

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-11771?: The Microsoft Windows Search component on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, and 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows a remote code execution vulnerability when it fails to properly handle DNS responses, aka "Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability".
How severe is CVE-2017-11771?: CVE-2017-11771 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-11771 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 64% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-11771?: CVE-2017-11771 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-11771?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-11771 published?: CVE-2017-11771 was published on 2017-10-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (12)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1511:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10:1703:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10

CVE-2020-1467 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles hard links. An attacker who successfully…
CVE-2021-26424 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Windows TCP/IP Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2021-28476 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Windows Hyper-V Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2021-26867 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Windows Hyper-V Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2020-1112 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) IIS…
CVE-2019-1384 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): A security feature bypass vulnerability exists where a NETLOGON message is able to obtain the session key and sign…

All CVEs affecting Microsoft Windows 10 →

Other CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-48316 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48281 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48277 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48055 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Streambert is a cross-platform Electron Desktop App to stream and download any video media. In versions 2.4.0 and…
CVE-2026-34910 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A malicious actor with access to the network could exploit an Improper Input Validation vulnerability found in UniFi OS…
CVE-2026-33587 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Lack of user input sanitisation in Open Notebook v1.8.3 allows the application user to execute Python code (and…

Browse all CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities →