CVE-2023-38162
Published: 12 September 2023
Summary
CVE-2023-38162 is a high-severity Wrap or Wraparound (CWE-191) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2012. Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 8.2% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
CVE-2023-38162 is a denial-of-service vulnerability in the DHCP Server Service, assigned a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 under the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H and linked to CWE-191 and CWE-400. The flaw permits remote attackers to disrupt service availability without any authentication or user interaction.
An unauthenticated network attacker can send specially crafted DHCP messages that trigger the vulnerability, resulting in a denial-of-service condition that affects only availability while leaving confidentiality and integrity intact.
Microsoft Security Response Center advisories published at the referenced URLs describe available patches and recommended mitigation steps for affected Windows systems running the DHCP Server role.
The associated EPSS score has remained flat at a peak and current value of 0.0721 since disclosure, indicating no material increase in observed exploitation interest.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-41987
Vulnerability details
DHCP Server Service Denial of Service Vulnerability
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Limiting concurrent sessions directly prevents uncontrolled resource consumption by capping the number of active sessions per user or account.
Analysis identifies uncontrolled resource consumption indicative of denial-of-service or abuse attempts.
Contingency plan testing includes resource exhaustion scenarios to verify recovery, making it harder for attackers to sustain exploits that cause uncontrolled consumption.
Updated contingency plans include current procedures to detect, contain, and recover from resource exhaustion, limiting an attacker's ability to sustain impact from uncontrolled consumption.
Alternate site allows resumption of operations if resource exhaustion at the primary site is exploited to cause unavailability.
Alternate telecommunications services enable resumption of essential functions when primary services become unavailable due to uncontrolled resource consumption.
The team can analyze and respond to resource exhaustion incidents, reducing the impact of attacks that exploit uncontrolled consumption weaknesses.
Timely maintenance support and spare parts enable rapid recovery from failures induced by uncontrolled resource consumption, shortening the impact window of denial-of-service attacks.