How severe is CVE-2023-38146?

CVE-2023-38146 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-38146 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 39% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-38146?

CVE-2023-38146 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 11 21h2. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-38146?

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-2023-38146 published?

CVE-2023-38146 was published on 2023-09-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-38146

CVE-2023-38146 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 11 21h2 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 39% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-367.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 39% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-367
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 11 21h2
Published: 2023-09-12
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Windows Themes Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-38146?: Windows Themes Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
How severe is CVE-2023-38146?: CVE-2023-38146 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-38146 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 39% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-38146?: CVE-2023-38146 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 11 21h2. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-38146?: 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-2023-38146 published?: CVE-2023-38146 was published on 2023-09-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_21h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_22h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 11 21h2

CVE-2024-38199 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Windows Line Printer Daemon (LPD) Service Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2024-38140 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Windows Reliable Multicast Transport Driver (RMCAST) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2024-38063 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Windows TCP/IP Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2024-30080 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Microsoft Message Queuing (MSMQ) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2023-36397 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Windows Pragmatic General Multicast (PGM) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2023-36028 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Microsoft Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol (PEAP) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

All CVEs affecting Microsoft Windows 11 21h2 →

Other CWE-367 (Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-25641 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): SandboxJS is a JavaScript sandboxing library. Prior to 0.8.29, there is a sandbox escape vulnerability due to a…
CVE-2025-64180 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Manager-io/Manager is accounting software. In Manager Desktop and Server versions 25.11.1.3085 and below, a critical…
CVE-2025-34027 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Versa Concerto SD-WAN orchestration platform is vulnerable to an authentication bypass in the Traefik reverse proxy…
CVE-2026-25052 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Prior to versions 1.123.18 and 2.5.0, a vulnerability in the file…
CVE-2025-13032 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Double fetch in sandbox kernel driver in Avast/AVG Antivirus <25.3 on windows allows local attacker to escalate…
CVE-2026-53838 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): OpenClaw before 2026.5.27 contains a state mutation vulnerability in node pairing reconnection that allows paired nodes…

Browse all CWE-367 (Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition) vulnerabilities →