CVE-2023-37203

Code execution via crafted local-file shortcuts

Published Jul 5, 2023 · Updated Feb 13, 2025

Improper validation in Firefox before 115 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted local-file shortcut. The Drag and Drop API accepts a C:/ target without classifying it as a file URI, then passes the shortcut target to Windows as a local path. Exploitation requires social engineering that persuades an end user to create and activate the shortcut.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.25%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper validation in Firefox before 115 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted local-file shortcut. The Drag and Drop API accepts a C:/ target without classifying it as a file URI, then passes the shortcut target to Windows as a local path. Exploitation requires social engineering that persuades an end user to create and activate the shortcut.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-37203
Published
Jul 5, 2023
Updated
Feb 13, 2025
Vendor
Mozilla
Product
Firefox
Classifications
T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 5, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 13, 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=unspecified <115

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Mozilla · Firefoxversion=unspecified <115

Published CVSS scores

7.8NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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