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CVE-2017-8543: Microsoft Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE-2017-8543 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 and affects Microsoft Windows. Per its scoring, it can be exploited over the network, without authentication, without any user interaction. The scored impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability is the highest available. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-05-24, which means exploitation in the wild has been observed.

Vulnerability description

Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Windows XP x64 XP2, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista, Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, and 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allow an attacker to take control of the affected system when Windows Search fails to handle objects in memory, aka "Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability".

Severity breakdown

CVSS v3.1 9.8: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

  • Attack vector: Network. Exploitable remotely over the network, with no need for local or physical access.
  • Attack complexity: Low. No special conditions; the attack can be repeated reliably.
  • Privileges required: None. No account or prior access is needed.
  • User interaction: None. No action from any user is needed.
  • Scope: Unchanged. Impact stays within the vulnerable component.
  • Confidentiality impact: High. Total loss of confidentiality; sensitive data can be fully disclosed.
  • Integrity impact: High. Total loss of integrity; data or system state can be fully modified.
  • Availability impact: High. Total loss of availability; the component can be shut down.

Underlying weakness

CWE-281: Improper Preservation of Permissions

The product does not preserve permissions or incorrectly preserves permissions when copying, restoring, or sharing objects, which can cause them to have less restrictive permissions than intended.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows 10 1507: all versions listed by NVD
  • Microsoft Windows 10 1511: all versions listed by NVD
  • Microsoft Windows 10 1607: all versions listed by NVD
  • Microsoft Windows 10 1703: all versions listed by NVD
  • Microsoft Windows 7: all versions listed by NVD
  • Microsoft Windows 8.1: all versions listed by NVD
  • Microsoft Windows Rt 8.1: all versions listed by NVD
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008: all versions listed by NVD; r2 sp1
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012: all versions listed by NVD; r2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2016: all versions listed by NVD

References