CVE-2023-28255Network attack vector

Authenticated remote code execution

Published Apr 11, 2023 · Updated Jan 23, 2025

Remote code execution in Microsoft Windows DNS Server allows remote authenticated users to execute code through the DNS service. Microsoft maps the flaw to improperly locked sensitive memory but has not published the faulty code path or untrusted-input operation. Exploitation requires high privileges, high-complexity conditions, and a network-reachable DNS Server role; successful execution compromises the server.

CVSS severity6.6
Medium
EPSS probability0.84%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in Microsoft Windows DNS Server allows remote authenticated users to execute code through the DNS service. Microsoft maps the flaw to improperly locked sensitive memory but has not published the faulty code path or untrusted-input operation. Exploitation requires high privileges, high-complexity conditions, and a network-reachable DNS Server role; successful execution compromises the server.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-28255
Published
Apr 11, 2023
Updated
Jan 23, 2025
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows Server 2019
Classifications
CWE-591
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

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 privilegesadmin

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

6.6Microsoft CorporationCVSS: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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-591Sensitive Data Storage in Improperly Locked Memory

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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