CVE-2023-28223Network attack vector

Remote code execution via DNS use-after-free

Published Apr 11, 2023 · Updated Jan 23, 2025

Windows Server DNS remote code execution affects remote authenticated users via specially crafted DNS requests. The DNS service mishandles memory after it is freed, creating a use-after-free condition that can be turned into code execution. Exploitation requires high privileges and precise request timing; successful attacks can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

CVSS severity6.6
Medium
EPSS probability1.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Windows Server DNS remote code execution affects remote authenticated users via specially crafted DNS requests. The DNS service mishandles memory after it is freed, creating a use-after-free condition that can be turned into code execution. Exploitation requires high privileges and precise request timing; successful attacks can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-28223
Published
Apr 11, 2023
Updated
Jan 23, 2025
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows Server 2019
Classifications
CWE-416, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 11, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 23, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.4252

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Windows Server 2019version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.4252
Microsoft · Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.5850
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)version=6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.24216
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012version=6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.24216
Microsoft · Windows Server 2016version=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.5850
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1version=6.1.7601.0 <6.1.7601.26466
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)version=6.1.7601.0 <6.1.7601.26466
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)version=6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.20919
Microsoft · Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)version=10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.4252
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2version=6.0.6003.0 <6.0.6003.22015
Microsoft · Windows Server 2022version=10.0.20348.0 <10.0.20348.1668
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 R2version=6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.20919
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)version=6.0.6003.0 <6.0.6003.22015

Published CVSS scores

6.6MicrosoftCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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