CVE-2023-21693 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record pertains to the "Microsoft PostScript and PCL6 Class Printer Driver Information Disclosure Vulnerability" identified by Microsoft. The vulnerability was published on February 14, 2023, affecting various Microsoft Windows versions.

Understanding CVE-2023-21693

The CVE-2023-21693 is an information disclosure vulnerability in Microsoft PostScript and PCL6 Class Printer Driver.

What is CVE-2023-21693?

CVE-2023-21693 refers to a security flaw that allows unauthorized parties to gain access to sensitive information in the affected systems through the PostScript and PCL6 Class Printer Driver.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21693

This vulnerability has a base severity rated as MEDIUM with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.7. The exploitation mainly results in the disclosure of confidential data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21693

The vulnerability description indicates that unauthorized users could potentially access confidential information on the affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to disclose sensitive information on the affected systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Microsoft products and versions are impacted:

Windows 10 Version 1809
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2022
Windows 10 Version 20H2
Windows 11 version 21H2
Windows 10 Version 21H2
Windows 11 version 22H2
Windows 10 Version 22H2
Windows 10 Version 1507
Windows 10 Version 1607
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information on the affected Windows systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-21693, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary security updates provided by Microsoft.
Implement access controls to restrict unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor system logs for any suspicious activities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Ensure you regularly update and patch the affected systems with the latest security updates released by Microsoft to mitigate the vulnerability.