CVE-2023-32012

SYSTEM privilege escalation via improper link resolution

Published Jun 13, 2023 · Updated Jan 1, 2025

Link-following in Microsoft Windows Container Manager Service allows local users to elevate privileges to SYSTEM via crafted file links. Microsoft identifies improper link resolution before file access but has not published the affected function or precise file operation. A low-privileged local account is required; successful exploitation grants SYSTEM privileges and full control of the host.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.51%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Link-following in Microsoft Windows Container Manager Service allows local users to elevate privileges to SYSTEM via crafted file links. Microsoft identifies improper link resolution before file access but has not published the affected function or precise file operation. A low-privileged local account is required; successful exploitation grants SYSTEM privileges and full control of the host.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-32012
Published
Jun 13, 2023
Updated
Jan 1, 2025
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows 11 version 21H2
Classifications
CWE-59, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 13, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 1, 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=10.0.0 <10.0.22000.2057

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Windows 11 version 21H2version=10.0.0 <10.0.22000.2057
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 21H2version=10.0.19043.0 <10.0.19044.3086
Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 22H2version=10.0.19045.0 <10.0.19045.3086
Microsoft · Windows 11, version 22H2version=10.0.22621.0 <10.0.22621.1848

Published CVSS scores

7.8Microsoft CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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