# Microsoft Windows: Search Remote Code Execution (CVE-2023-36884) · pwn.watch

> Microsoft Windows Search contains an unspecified vulnerability that could allow an attacker to evade Mark of the Web (MOTW) defenses via a specially crafted malicious file, leading to remote code execution. Added to CISA KEV on 2023-07-17. CISA lists known use in ransomware campaigns.

Page: https://pwn.watch/i/microsoft-windows-cve-2023-36884 · generated 2026-10-23T03:54:42.456Z

## Status
- Severity: high · status: closed · patch: patched
- Product: Microsoft Windows
- Started: 2023-07-17 · closed: 2023-07-17
- CVEs: CVE-2023-36884
- Affected: See vendor advisory / CISA notes (versions not always listed in KEV feed)
- Fixed in: See vendor advisory linked in sources

## Follow this incident
- RSS (one item per update): https://pwn.watch/i/microsoft-windows-cve-2023-36884/feed.xml
- JSON Feed: https://pwn.watch/i/microsoft-windows-cve-2023-36884/feed.json
- Full data (timeline, sources, posts, agentBrief): https://pwn.watch/i/microsoft-windows-cve-2023-36884.json
- This file: https://pwn.watch/i/microsoft-windows-cve-2023-36884/llms.txt

## Updates (newest first)
- 2023-07-17: CISA added CVE-2023-36884 to the KEV catalog (due 2023-08-29).

## Fix brief
# Security brief: Microsoft Windows: Search Remote Code Execution (CVE-2023-36884)

Source: https://pwn.watch/i/microsoft-windows-cve-2023-36884 · status: closed (closed Jul 17, 2023) · severity: high · updated Jul 17, 2023

## Patch status
**PATCHED: fixed releases exist. Upgrade to a fixed version.**

## What it is
Microsoft Windows Search contains an unspecified vulnerability that could allow an attacker to evade Mark of the Web (MOTW) defenses via a specially crafted malicious file, leading to remote code execution. Added to CISA KEV on 2023-07-17. CISA lists known use in ransomware campaigns.

Severity detail: CVSS 7.5 (NVD), actively exploited (CISA KEV), known ransomware use

- Product: Microsoft Windows
- CVE / advisory ids: CVE-2023-36884

## Affected versions
- See vendor advisory / CISA notes (versions not always listed in KEV feed)

## Check whether you're affected
No generic command applies (the product is a hosted service, appliance or desktop app). Check the installed version in its admin UI / About screen and compare with the versions above.

## Fix
Upgrade to one of these fixed versions (or later on the same branch):
- See vendor advisory linked in sources

After upgrading, re-run the checks above and redeploy/restart the affected services.

## Latest updates
- Jul 17, 2023: CISA added CVE-2023-36884 to the KEV catalog (due 2023-08-29).

## Advisories
- [Vendor advisory: Microsoft Windows](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36884) (Microsoft)
- [NVD: CVE-2023-36884](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-36884) (NVD)
- [CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog) (CISA)

## Caveats
Derived from CISA KEV JSON feed catalogVersion 2026.10.21. Exact affected/fixed version strings are not always in the KEV record — verify against the vendor advisory URL. startedAt uses dateAdded (exploitation may have begun earlier).

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Machine-readable: https://pwn.watch/i/microsoft-windows-cve-2023-36884.json · all incidents: https://pwn.watch/incidents.json. Verify against the vendor advisory before changing production systems.