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Full vulnerability report · 2023
CVE-2023-36033High confidence

Microsoft Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) Core Library Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Microsoft · Windows

7.8HighCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Patch now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2023-12-05 as the remediation due date.

Patch available
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityHighOperational priority:Critical, raised one band.upgradedsince 14 Nov 2023

Evidence used

  • CISA confirms exploitation in the wild.
  • Exploitation requires an existing local or physical foothold with privileges.
  • EPSS is 10.95% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
  • Restrict local access and enforce least privilege on affected hosts.
  • Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs Microsoft Windows and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 3 daysRemediation target: Within 90 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2023-40017

CISA KEV mirrored by ENISA

Windows DWM Core Library Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Recorded by ENISA since 14 Nov 2023. Evidence sources: cisa_kev.
ENISA score
7.8 · CVSS 3.1
Advisory evidence
2 linked advisory records
Recommended actionPatch now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2023-12-05 as the remediation due date.

Patch available
01

What, why and how

Microsoft Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) Core Library contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation.

What

Microsoft Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) Core Library contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation.

Why

The product obtains a value from an untrusted source, converts this value to a pointer, and dereferences the resulting pointer.

How

An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation with low privileges. If successful, the issue may gain additional privileges.

What

Microsoft Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) Core Library contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation.

Why

The product obtains a value from an untrusted source, converts this value to a pointer, and dereferences the resulting pointer.

How

An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation with low privileges. If successful, the issue may gain additional privileges.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Confirmed in the wild

CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 2023-11-14.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
None recorded

No exploit-tagged reference or CISA SSVC proof-of-concept state is currently recorded. Research may still exist outside the structured feeds.

Likely attack path
local access → Untrusted Pointer Dereference → gain additional privileges
Attack surface
Local
Privileges required
Low: a basic authenticated account is required
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-822 ↗

CWE-822: Untrusted Pointer Dereference. The product obtains a value from an untrusted source, converts this value to a pointer, and dereferences the resulting pointer.

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVLocalAttack vector: The attacker needs local access to the vulnerable system.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRLowPrivileges required: The attacker needs basic user-level privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
The issue can support a local privilege or sandbox boundary transition; normal system utilities may then be available in the gained context.
Privilege escalationCWE-822CISA KEV
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2023-40017Known-exploited evidence recorded

Windows DWM Core Library Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Official EUVD record ↗
BSI · German · WID-SEC-2023-2890Microsoft Windows: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Ein entfernter, anonymer Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in verschiedenen Versionen von Microsoft Windows und Microsoft Windows Server ausnutzen, um seine Privilegien zu erhöhen, um beliebigen Code auszuführen, um Informationen offenzulegen, Sicherheitsmechanismen zu umgehen und um einen Denial of Service Zustand herbeizuführen.

Official advisory ↗
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore · English · CSA-SB-20231115Security Bulletin 15 Nov 2023

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore included this CVE in its official Security Bulletin 15 Nov 2023, published on 15 November 2023. Open the linked bulletin for the product, severity and reference information published in that issue.

Official advisory ↗
CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2023-AVI-0944Multiples vulnérabilités dans Microsoft Windows

écurité Microsoft du 14 novembre 2023 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/ Bulletin de sécurité Microsoft CVE-2023-24023 du 14 novembre 2023 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-24023 Bulletin de sécurité Microsoft CVE-2023-36017 du 14 novembre 2023 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36017 Bulletin de sécurité Microsoft CVE-2023-36025 du 14 novembre 2023 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36025 Bulletin de sécurité Microsoft CVE-2023-36028 du 14 novembre 2023 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36028 Bulletin de sécurité Microsoft CVE-2023-36033 du 14 novembre 2023 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36033 Bulletin de sécurité Microsoft CVE-2023-36036 du 14 novembre 2023 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36036 Bulletin de sécurité Microsoft CVE-2023-36046 du 14 novembre 2023 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36046 Bulletin de sécurité Microsoft CVE-2023-36047 du 14 novembre 2023 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36047 Bulletin de sécurité Microsoft CVE-2023-36392 du 14 novembre 2023 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36392 Bulletin de sécurité

Official advisory ↗
JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2023-007419マイクロソフトの複数の Microsoft Windows 製品における権限を昇格される脆弱性

マイクロソフトの Microsoft Windows 10、Windows 11、Windows Server には、Windows DWM Core ライブラリに不備があるため、権限を昇格される脆弱性が存在します。

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-6041MS 11월 보안 위협에 따른 정기 보안 업데이트 권고

l Studio | CVE-2023-36042 | Visual Studio 서비스 거부 취약성 | | Microsoft Office Excel | CVE-2023-36041 | Microsoft Excel 원격 코드 실행 취약성 | | Microsoft Exchange Server | CVE-2023-36039 | Microsoft Exchange Server 스푸핑 취약성 | | ASP.NET | CVE-2023-36038 | ASP.NET Core 서비스 거부 취약성 | | Microsoft Office Excel | CVE-2023-36037 | Microsoft Excel 보안 기능 우회 취약성 | | Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver | CVE-2023-36036 | Windows 클라우드 파일 미니 필터 드라이버 권한 상승 취약성 | | Microsoft Exchange Server | CVE-2023-36035 | Microsoft Exchange Server 스푸핑 취약성 | | Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) | CVE-2023-36034 | Microsoft Edge(Chromium 기반) 원격 코드 실행 취약성 | | Windows DWM Core Library | CVE-2023-36033 | Windows DWM 핵심 라이브러리 권한 상승 취약성 | | Microsoft Dynamics | CVE-2023-36031 | Microsoft Dynamics 365(온-프레미스) 교차-사이트 스크립팅 취약성 | | Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales | CVE-2023-36030 | Microsoft Dynamics 365 판매 스푸핑 취약성 | | Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) | CVE-2023-36029 | Microsoft Edge(Chromium 기반) 스푸핑 취약성 | | Windows Protected EAP (PEAP) | CVE-2023-36028 | Microsoft PEAP(Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol) 원격 코드 실행 취약성 | | Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) | CVE-2023-36027 | Microsoft Edge(Chromium 기반) 권한 상승 취약성 | | Windows SmartScreen | CVE-2023-36025 | Windows SmartScreen 보안 기능 우회 취약성 | | Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) | CVE-2023-36024 |

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-6039美 CISA 발표 주요 Exploit 정보공유(Update. 2023-11-14)

Microsoft Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) Core Library contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation.

Official advisory ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Patch available
Affected
Fixed
An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
Action
Review the linked authoritative reference and apply the recorded fixed release appropriate to the affected product branch.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. Limit untrusted access and use least privilege until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 14 Nov 2023 · Last source change 21 Oct 2025, 23:05 UTC · CWE-822 · Untrusted Pointer Dereference

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.1
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2023-40017
Product sourceCISA KEV
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceOther authority
NVD statusNVD enriched

Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
    Before
    10.0.17763.0 < 10.0.17763.5122; 10.0.0 < 10.0.17763.5122; 10.0.20348.0 < 10.0.20348.2113; 10.0.0 < 10.0.22000.2600; 10.0.19043.0 < 10.0.19043.3693; 10.0.22621.0 < 10.0.22621.2715 · Fixed: An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
    After
    Windows 10 Version 1809: 10.0.17763.0 < 10.0.17763.5122, 10.0.0 < 10.0.17763.5122; Windows Server 2019: 10.0.17763.0 < 10.0.17763.5122; Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation): 10.0.17763.0 < 10.0.17763.5122; Windows Server 2022: 10.0.20348.0 < 10.0.20348.2113; Windows 11 version 21H2: 10.0.0 < 10.0.22000.2600; Windows 10 Version 21H2: 10.0.19043.0 < 10.0.19043.3693; Windows 11 version 22H2: 10.0.22621.0 < 10.0.22621.2715; Windows 10 Version 22H2: 10.0.19045.0 < 10.0.19045.3693; Windows 11 version 22H3: 10.0.22631.0 < 10.0.22631.2715; Windows 11 Version 23H2: 10.0.22631.0 < 10.0.22631.2715; Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation): 10.0.25398.0 < 10.0.25398.531 · Fixed: An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
    CNA ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
CVE published
Added to CISA KEV
Fixed release or patch reference recorded
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2023-40017↗CISA KEV record↗CVE authority or vendor reference↗Official CVE record (CNA and ADP data)↗NVD record↗
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2023-36033 · cve.blacktree.nl