How severe is CVE-2023-21542?

CVE-2023-21542 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-21542 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (19th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-21542?

CVE-2023-21542 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10 1607. In total, 15 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-21542?

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

When was CVE-2023-21542 published?

CVE-2023-21542 was published on 2023-01-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-21542

CVE-2023-21542 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1607 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-269.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (19th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10 1607
Published: 2023-01-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-21542?: Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
How severe is CVE-2023-21542?: CVE-2023-21542 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-21542 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (19th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-21542?: CVE-2023-21542 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10 1607. In total, 15 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-21542?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2023-21542 published?: CVE-2023-21542 was published on 2023-01-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-21542

Affected products (15)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:-:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt_8.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
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:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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