CVE-2023-36884

CVE-2023-36884 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2023-07-17). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-362.

Key facts

Description

Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE-2023-36884: Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

AI-generated analysis based on the vulnerability data on this page.

Attribute Value
CVE CVE-2023-36884
Severity HIGH (CVSS 3.1: 7.5)
Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE CWE-362 (Race Condition)
EPSS 0.99083 (99.93rd percentile)
KEV Yes (since 2023-07-17)
Published 2023-07-11
Assigner Microsoft

Summary

Windows Search is vulnerable to a remote code execution flaw due to a race condition, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a target system.

Background

Windows Search is a core indexing and query service built into Windows operating systems, enabling users to search for files, applications, and content across local and indexed remote locations. It is enabled by default on all supported Windows versions.

Root Cause

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-362 (Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization, commonly known as a Race Condition). The Windows Search component fails to properly synchronize access to shared resources, creating a window where an attacker can manipulate the execution flow to achieve remote code execution. The exact race condition is in the handling of search queries or indexed content, though the specific function is not publicly disclosed.

Impact

With a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5, this is a HIGH severity vulnerability. The impact metrics are:

  • Confidentiality: HIGH — an attacker can gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
  • Integrity: HIGH — an attacker can modify or delete data.
  • Availability: HIGH — an attacker can disrupt system operations.

Exploitation Walkthrough

Exploitation requires network access, high attack complexity, and user interaction, but no privileges. The attacker likely delivers a malicious payload via a search query or indexed document that triggers the race condition. The specific exploitation path is not publicly disclosed, but defensive teams should monitor for unusual search service crashes or unexpected child processes spawned from SearchIndexer.exe or SearchProtocolHost.exe.

Ethics caveat: This walkthrough is based on defensive analysis of the disclosed vulnerability class. No weaponized exploit code is provided.

Affected and Patched Versions

Multiple Windows versions are affected, including:

  • Windows 10 (1507, 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2)
  • Windows 11 (21H2, 22H2)
  • Windows Server (2008 SP2, 2008 R2 SP1, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022)

Specific patch information is not available in the source data; refer to the Microsoft Security Response Center for exact KB numbers.

Remediation

  1. Apply the latest security updates from Microsoft as soon as available.
  2. As a compensating control, disable the Windows Search service if not required (though this impacts user functionality).
  3. Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement.
  4. Ensure endpoint protection solutions are updated with the latest signatures.

Detection

  • Monitor for anomalous child processes spawned by SearchIndexer.exe or SearchProtocolHost.exe.
  • Look for unexpected network connections initiated by the Windows Search service.
  • Track system crashes or high CPU usage in the Search service.
  • Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to baseline normal search service behavior.

Assessment

This vulnerability carries an extremely high EPSS score of 0.99083 (99.93rd percentile), indicating near-certain active exploitation. It was added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-07-17, and the EU Vulnerability Database also lists it as exploited since that date. Organizations should prioritize patching.

Key lessons:

  1. Core system services that process untrusted input (like search indexes) are high-value targets.
  2. Race conditions in complex, multi-threaded services are notoriously difficult to detect and patch.

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-36884?
Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
How severe is CVE-2023-36884?
CVE-2023-36884 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-36884 being actively exploited?
Yes. CVE-2023-36884 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2023-07-17, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-36884?
CVE-2023-36884 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10 1507. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-36884?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
Does CVE-2023-36884 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2023-36884 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2023-40804. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2023-07-17).
When was CVE-2023-36884 published?
CVE-2023-36884 was published on 2023-07-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (17)

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