SYSTEM privilege escalation via symbolic-link redirection
Published Nov 14, 2023 · Updated Oct 8, 2025
Improper link resolution in Microsoft Windows Search Service allows local users to gain SYSTEM privileges via crafted symbolic links. The service processes an attacker-controlled symbolic link before privileged file access, redirecting its LocalSystem operation to an attacker-selected target. A local low-privileged account is required; successful exploitation grants access to data and operations available to the LocalSystem service.
Summary
What happened
Improper link resolution in Microsoft Windows Search Service allows local users to gain SYSTEM privileges via crafted symbolic links. The service processes an attacker-controlled symbolic link before privileged file access, redirecting its LocalSystem operation to an attacker-selected target. A local low-privileged account is required; successful exploitation grants access to data and operations available to the LocalSystem service.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-36394
- Published
- Nov 14, 2023
- Updated
- Oct 8, 2025
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Windows 10 Version 1507
- Classifications
- CWE-59, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Nov 14, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 8, 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?
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- Affected versionversion=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.20308
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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