CVE-2023-28246 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE, named Windows Registry Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability, was published on April 11, 2023, by Microsoft. It affects Windows Server 2022, Windows 11 versions 21H2 and 22H2.

Understanding CVE-2023-28246

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-28246, including its impact, technical description, affected systems and versions, as well as mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-28246?

The CVE-2023-28246, known as Windows Registry Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability, is classified as an Elevation of Privilege issue. This vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges on the affected systems, leading to potential security breaches.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28246

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (High severity), this vulnerability poses a significant threat to the security of Windows Server 2022 and Windows 11 systems. If exploited, attackers could manipulate the Windows Registry to escalate their privileges and carry out malicious activities without proper authorization.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28246

Let's explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-28246, including a description of the vulnerability, the affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The Windows Registry Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability enables an unauthorized user to execute code with elevated privileges through the Windows Registry, potentially leading to system compromise and unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts:

Microsoft Windows Server 2022 (Version 10.0.20348.1668 and earlier)
Microsoft Windows 11 version 21H2 (Version 10.0.22000.1817 and earlier)
Microsoft Windows 11 version 22H2 (Version 10.0.22621.1555 and earlier)

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, threat actors could abuse the Windows Registry settings to execute malicious code, elevate their privileges, and perform unauthorized actions on the affected systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-28246 effectively, it's crucial to implement immediate steps, adopt long-term security practices, and apply necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor security advisories from Microsoft for patches related to CVE-2023-28246.
Limit user permissions and access rights to minimize the impact of privilege escalation attacks.
Employ endpoint protection solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized registry modifications.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Windows operating systems to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Conduct thorough security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.
Educate users and IT staff about the importance of cybersecurity best practices and awareness.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about Microsoft's security updates and patches for Windows Server 2022 and Windows 11 to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-28246. Regularly apply the latest patches to ensure your systems are protected against known security threats.