CVE-2023-28220
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 r2
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HSummary
CVE-2023-28220 is a high-severity Sensitive Data Storage in Improperly Locked Memory (CWE-591) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2008. Its CVSS base score is 8.1 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Unsecured Credentials (T1552); ranked in the top 4% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2023-28220 is a remote code execution vulnerability in the Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol. The flaw received a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 and is tracked under CWE-591, indicating an issue that can be reached over the network without authentication or user interaction.
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit the vulnerability across the network, although successful exploitation requires high attack complexity. Successful attacks can result in full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected system.
Microsoft has published guidance and patches for the issue through its security update guide. The associated EPSS score rose from a low baseline to a recorded peak of 0.0978, indicating that exploitation interest increased after disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-31928
Vulnerability Data
Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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- 1 hardening rule · 1 OS baseline
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Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
PR.DS-01 encryption of data-at-rest can protect swapped pages but does not stop improper memory locking, addressing only one exposure facet of the weakness.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Security testing can discover unlocked sensitive buffers, but does not itself implement the locking mechanism.
Cryptographic controls can reduce exposure of sensitive data even if it is paged, but do not directly enforce memory locking.
Secure-coding standards can mandate use of locked-memory APIs, directly preventing the weakness.
DLP can detect leakage of sensitive data from swap, yet does not prevent the data from being written there.
Hardening callouts derived
Configuration rules from DISA STIG baselines that bear on weaknesses of the type cited by this CVE. Each rule is shown with the relationship its mapping actually records, against the CWE it was authored against. Derived via CVE→CWE over `controls_xwalks` (authoritative rows only; rows rated `none` are excluded).
Oracle Linux 8 (1 rule)
- V-248525 All OL 8 local disk partitions must implement cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized disclosure or modification of all information that requires at-rest protection. prevents CWE-591