How severe is CVE-2023-36657?

CVE-2023-36657 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-2023-36657 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (43rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-36657?

CVE-2023-36657 affects Opswat Metadefender Kiosk. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-36657?

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-2023-36657 published?

CVE-2023-36657 was published on 2023-09-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-36657

CVE-2023-36657 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Opswat Metadefender Kiosk with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (43rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Opswat Metadefender Kiosk
Published: 2023-09-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An issue was discovered in OPSWAT MetaDefender KIOSK 4.6.1.9996. Built-in features of Windows (desktop shortcuts, narrator) can be abused for privilege escalation.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-36657?: An issue was discovered in OPSWAT MetaDefender KIOSK 4.6.1.9996. Built-in features of Windows (desktop shortcuts, narrator) can be abused for privilege escalation.
How severe is CVE-2023-36657?: CVE-2023-36657 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-2023-36657 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (43rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-36657?: CVE-2023-36657 affects Opswat Metadefender Kiosk. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-36657?: 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-2023-36657 published?: CVE-2023-36657 was published on 2023-09-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:opswat:metadefender_kiosk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Opswat Metadefender Kiosk

CVE-2023-36659 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An issue was discovered in OPSWAT MetaDefender KIOSK 4.6.1.9996. Long inputs were not properly processed, which allows…
CVE-2023-36658 — High (CVSS 7.8): An issue was discovered in OPSWAT MetaDefender KIOSK 4.6.1.9996. It has an unquoted service path that can be abused…

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