Buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows

CVE-2023-47039

A vulnerability was found in Perl. This security issue occurs while Perl for Windows relies on the system path environment variable to find the shell (`cmd.exe`). When running an executable that uses the Windows Perl interpreter, Perl attempts to find and execute `cmd.exe` within the operating system. However, due to path search order issues, Perl initially looks for cmd.exe in the current working directory. This flaw allows an attacker with limited privileges to place`cmd.exe` in locations with weak permissions, such as `C:\ProgramData`. By doing so, arbitrary code can be executed when an administrator attempts to use this executable from these compromised locations.

Vulnerability class: Buffer Overflow

EPSS: 0.004 (33.9th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 7.8 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

Public proof-of-concept exploits

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-47039?
CVE-2023-47039 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows, classified under Heap-based Buffer Overflow. CVSS score: 7.8/10. Published 2024-01-02.
How severe is CVE-2023-47039?
High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.8 out of 10.
Is CVE-2023-47039 known to be exploited?
2 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.