Authenticated code execution via untrusted cmdlet search path
Published Oct 10, 2023 · Updated Apr 14, 2025
Remote code execution in Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 allows remote authenticated users to execute code through Remote PowerShell. Improper validation of Exchange cmdlet arguments lets attacker-controlled input influence an executable search path. Valid Exchange credentials and adjacent-network access are required; successful exploitation runs code in the server's security context.
Summary
What happened
Remote code execution in Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 allows remote authenticated users to execute code through Remote PowerShell. Improper validation of Exchange cmdlet arguments lets attacker-controlled input influence an executable search path. Valid Exchange credentials and adjacent-network access are required; successful exploitation runs code in the server's security context.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-36778
- Published
- Oct 10, 2023
- Updated
- Apr 14, 2025
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 12
- Classifications
- CWE-426, T1059.001
- Attack vector
- adjacent
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 10, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 14, 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.
- Affected versionversion=15.02.0 <15.02.1118.039
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
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
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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