CVE-2023-36391

SYSTEM privilege escalation via improper link resolution

Published Dec 12, 2023 · Updated Jan 1, 2025

Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows 11 before builds 22621.2861 and 22631.2861 allows local users to gain SYSTEM privileges. Microsoft identifies improper link resolution before file access in LSA but does not disclose the affected routine, file operation, or controllable path. Exploitation requires existing low-privilege local access and grants SYSTEM-level control of the host.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability7.24%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows 11 before builds 22621.2861 and 22631.2861 allows local users to gain SYSTEM privileges. Microsoft identifies improper link resolution before file access in LSA but does not disclose the affected routine, file operation, or controllable path. Exploitation requires existing low-privilege local access and grants SYSTEM-level control of the host.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-36391
Published
Dec 12, 2023
Updated
Jan 1, 2025
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows 11 Version 22H3
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=10.0.22631.0 <10.0.22621.2861

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Windows 11 Version 22H3version=10.0.22631.0 <10.0.22621.2861
Microsoft · Windows 11 Version 23H2version=10.0.22631.0 <10.0.22631.2861

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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