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Skype CVE-2017-6517

CRITICAL
Uncontrolled Search Path Element (CWE-427)
2017-03-23 cve@mitre.org
9.8
CVSS 3.0 · NVD
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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A08:2025 - Software or Data Integrity Failures
ASVS 5.0
V13 - Configuration Search path element control
Impact

CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available. EPSS exploitation probability: 19.74%.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

This vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network. Successful exploitation could compromise the critical-severity affected system.

Emergency Immediate action required. Why: CRITICAL + active threat signals, no patch available.
No patch listed yet 19.7% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

Microsoft Skype 7.16.0.102 contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 19.7%.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

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Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-427. Microsoft Skype 7.16.0.102 contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system. This vulnerability exists due to the way .dll files are loaded by Skype. It allows an attacker to load a .dll of the attacker's choosing that could execute arbitrary code without the user's knowledge.The specific flaw exists within the handling of DLL (api-ms-win-core-winrt-string-l1-1-0.dll) loading by the Skype.exe process. Affected products include: Microsoft Skype.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 9.8 CRITICAL
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

DescriptionCVE.org

Microsoft Skype 7.16.0.102 contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system. This vulnerability exists due to the way .dll files are loaded by Skype. It allows an attacker to load a .dll of the attacker's choosing that could execute arbitrary code without the user's knowledge.The specific flaw exists within the handling of DLL (api-ms-win-core-winrt-string-l1-1-0.dll) loading by the Skype.exe process.

Threat Intelligence Overview

Threat Score
4.1/10
Composite threat intelligence
EPSS Score
19.7%
Top 5% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
3 sources
Confidence: Low

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity CRITICAL
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 19.7%
Patch available No
Active threat Yes
Deciding rule
CRITICAL + active threat signals, no patch available
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
Yes
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

89
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +20
CVSS: +49
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:skype:7.16.0.102:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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