CVE-2023-35633Public exploit

Local privilege escalation via registry link resolution

Published Dec 12, 2023 · Updated Jan 1, 2025

Improper link resolution in Windows Kernel in Windows allows local users to gain elevated privileges via a crafted registry operation. The kernel follows attacker-controlled registry links without enforcing the intended target, enabling writes or access under higher privileges. Exploitation requires a local authenticated account and can grant SYSTEM-level control, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability8.70%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper link resolution in Windows Kernel in Windows allows local users to gain elevated privileges via a crafted registry operation. The kernel follows attacker-controlled registry links without enforcing the intended target, enabling writes or access under higher privileges. Exploitation requires a local authenticated account and can grant SYSTEM-level control, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-35633
Published
Dec 12, 2023
Updated
Jan 1, 2025
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows 10 Version 1507
Classifications
CWE-59, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 12, 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=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.20345

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Windows 10 Version 1507version=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.20345
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)version=6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.24614
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012version=6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.24614
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1version=6.1.7601.0 <6.1.7601.26864
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)version=6.1.7601.0 <6.1.7601.26864
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)version=6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.21715
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2version=6.0.6003.0 <6.0.6003.22413
Microsoft · Windows Server 2012 R2version=6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.21715
Microsoft · Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)version=6.0.6003.0 <6.0.6003.22413

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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

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

Public exploit references

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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