CVE-2023-36036
Published: 14 November 2023
Summary
CVE-2023-36036 is a high-severity Heap-based Buffer Overflow (CWE-122) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1809. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 16.6% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-16 (Memory Protection) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2023-36036 is an elevation-of-privilege vulnerability in the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver. The flaw, assigned CVSS 7.8, stems from out-of-bounds writes (CWE-122 and CWE-787) that allow an attacker who already possesses local access to corrupt memory and escalate privileges to SYSTEM level.
A local, authenticated user with low privileges can exploit the driver without user interaction, achieving full control over confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected Windows system. The attack requires only standard user rights and does not need network access or elevated credentials to begin.
Microsoft’s security update guide addresses the issue with patches released on 14 November 2023; administrators are advised to apply the updates through Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog. The vulnerability also appears in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming observed in-the-wild exploitation and underscoring the need for prompt remediation.
EPSS scores have remained low, with a current value of 0.0152 and a peak of 0.0173, indicating limited but non-zero public interest following disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-40020
Vulnerability details
Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
- CWE(s)
- KEV Date Added
- 14 November 2023
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly requires timely application of vendor patches that remediate the heap buffer overflow in the Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver.
Enforces memory-protection mechanisms that block out-of-bounds writes and heap overflows exploited by this driver flaw.
Limits process and user privileges so that successful exploitation of the driver cannot immediately yield full system rights.