CVE-2021-28468

Current-user code execution via CR3 type confusion

Published Apr 13, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Type confusion in CR3 image parsing in Microsoft Raw Image Extension allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted image file. The parser inadequately validates user-supplied CR3 data, allowing an incompatible type to be used while the image is decoded. Exploitation requires the target to visit a malicious page or open the file, and resulting code runs as the current user at low integrity.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability5.91%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Type confusion in CR3 image parsing in Microsoft Raw Image Extension allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted image file. The parser inadequately validates user-supplied CR3 data, allowing an incompatible type to be used while the image is decoded. Exploitation requires the target to visit a malicious page or open the file, and resulting code runs as the current user at low integrity.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-28468
Published
Apr 13, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Raw Image Extension
Classifications
CWE-843, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 13, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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  1. Affected versionversion=N/A

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Raw Image Extensionversion=N/A

Published CVSS scores

6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8Microsoft CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-843Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion')
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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