Microsoft Windows Shell (.lnk) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Exploited · KEV 2022-02-10Metasploit moduleCVE-2017-8464

Exploited since 2022-02-10. No WAF vendor names it yet.

Edge rules

0/8

Our test

No exploit yet

CVSS

8.8

EPSS

90.0% Top 0.2%

Posts, 14d

Published

2017-06-15

Windows Shell in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows local users or remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .LNK file, which is not properly handled during icon display in Windows Explorer or any other application that parses the icon of the shortcut. aka "LNK Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."

Edge coverage

Claimed by vendors

CloudflareBefore feed historyOlder than its feed AWSBefore feed historyOlder than its feed Microsoft AzureNo public claimNot named Google CloudBefore feed historyOlder than its feed FastlyBefore feed historyOlder than its feed F5Before feed historyOlder than its feed AkamaiNo public sourceNo public changelog OWASP CRSBefore feed historyOlder than its feed

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AI · answers from this page

Ask about CVE-2017-8464: who's covered, what to patch first, how vendors compare. I cite sources and won't help with attacks.

Workers AI (Llama 3.3). Can be wrong: check the cited source.

Severity, decoded

CVSS 3.1

8.8High

High · 8.8 / 10

Exploitable over the network, with no privileges and user interaction, leading to full loss of confidentiality, integrity and availability.

Over the internetNo login neededNeeds a user to actWorks reliablyFull compromise

How the score is built8 metrics

Attack vectorAn attacker can reach it over the internet; no access to your network needed.
Network
Attack complexityNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Low
Privileges requiredNo account or login is needed.
None
User interactionA user has to do something first, such as open a file or click a link.
Required
ScopeThe damage stays within the vulnerable component.
Unchanged
Confidentiality impactAn attacker can read all data the affected component holds, or the most sensitive parts of it.
High
Integrity impactAn attacker can change any data or files the affected component protects.
High
Availability impactAn attacker can take the component down completely or keep it from serving anyone.
High

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA's assessmentSSVC, from the CVE record

ExploitationActive

Attackers are exploiting this in the wild.

AutomatableNo

At least one step needs hands-on work, which slows mass attacks.

Technical impactTotal

A successful attack gives full control over the affected software or all of its data.

Public exploits

4 found

2 Metasploit2 Exploit-DB0 Scanner template0 GitHub PoCs

MetasploitLNK Code Execution Vulnerability2017-06-13 · exploit · rank Great
MetasploitLNK Code Execution Vulnerability2017-06-13 · exploit · rank Great · has check
Exploit-DBMicrosoft Windows - '.LNK' Shortcut File Code Execution2017-08-06 · local · windows
Exploit-DBMicrosoft Windows - '.LNK' Shortcut File Code Execution (Metasploit)2017-07-26 · local · windows

Links are to third-party code: never run it outside an isolated lab.

Timeline

2017-06-13
Metasploit module published
LNK Code Execution Vulnerability
2017-06-15
CVE published
CVE List
2017-07-26
Exploit published on Exploit-DB
Microsoft Windows - '.LNK' Shortcut File Code Execution (Metasploit)
2022-02-10
Added to CISA KEV
Confirmed exploitation in the wild