What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-38146?

CVE-2023-38146 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 39.5%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2023-38146?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2023-38146. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 39.5%.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2023-38146?

Yes, a patch is available for CVE-2023-38146. Update the affected software to the latest version immediately.

Windows 11 22h2 CVE-2023-38146

HIGH

Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition (CWE-367)

2023-09-12 secure@microsoft.com

RCE Microsoft Windows 11 22h2 Windows 11 21H2

8.8

CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: microsoft

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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-367 ASVS 5.0 V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture TOCTOU prevention
Impact	CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	This vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network. Successful exploitation could compromise the high-severity affected system.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Why: HIGH severity + EPSS > 10%.

Patch available 39.5% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

Windows Themes Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. 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-367. Affected products include: Microsoft Windows 11 21H2, Microsoft Windows 11 22H2.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 8.8 HIGH

AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft) · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

DescriptionCVE.org

Windows Themes Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

39.5%

Top 2% exploitable

Exploit

POC

Public exploit code exists

Data Quality

4 sources

Confidence: Medium

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS POC (1)

GitHub Metasploit

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 HIGH

CISA KEV No

Public POC Yes

EPSS 39.5%

Patch available Yes

Active threat Yes

Deciding rule

HIGH severity + EPSS > 10%

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

Out-of-Cycle

Exploitation· derived

Active

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Human Impact· derived

High

Priority Score

118

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: +39

CVSS: +44

PoC: +20

Weaponized: +15

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Remote Code Execution CRITICAL

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:o:microsoft:windows_11_21h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_22h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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References

Advisories & patches

PATCH https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-38146 REF http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/176391/Themebleed-Windows-11-Themes-Arbitrary-Code-Execution.html

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