Is CVE-2023-36657 actively exploited?

No active exploitation of CVE-2023-36657 has been confirmed so far. Continue monitoring, as exploit status can change.

Can CVE-2023-36657 be exploited remotely?

Yes. CVE-2023-36657 is exploitable remotely over the network (CVSS attack vector: Network).

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-36657?

CVE-2023-36657 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL).

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CRITICAL

CVE-2023-36657

CWE-269Published: September 15, 2023· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

An issue was discovered in OPSWAT MetaDefender KIOSK 4.6.1.9996. Built-in features of Windows (desktop shortcuts, narrator) can be abused for privilege escalation.

NVD Source

Risk Analysis

OPSWAT MetaDefender KIOSK contains a vulnerability where built-in Windows features can be abused to escalate privileges. Given the critical CVSS score of 9.8 and the ability for remote exploitation with low complexity, this flaw poses a significant risk to system integrity.

There is no known public exploit for this vulnerability, and it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Recommended Action

Users should update to the latest version of OPSWAT MetaDefender KIOSK and apply standard Windows hardening to restrict access to desktop shortcuts and accessibility features.

Generated by the CTIWATCH analysis pipeline from this CVE's metadata (CVSS, EPSS, KEV status, exploit intelligence). Verify against vendor advisories before acting.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2023-36657 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.