Microsoft Windows Shell (.lnk) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

HIGH 8.8EXPLOITED (CISA KEV)CVE-2017-8464 · Published 15/06/2017 · updated 17/06/2026

Microsoft Windows Shell (.lnk) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Actively exploited: CISA added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 10/02/2022. Patch affected systems as an emergency.

Package	Affected versions	Patched versions
Windows Microsoft	Versions not published yet (product named by CISA KEV)

Description

Windows Shell in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows local users or remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .LNK file, which is not properly handled during icon display in Windows Explorer or any other application that parses the icon of the shortcut. aka "LNK Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."

References

securityfocus.com/bid/98818 · Third Party Advisory
securitytracker.com/id/1038671 · Third Party Advisory
portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2017-8464 · Patch
exploit-db.com/exploits/42382 · Exploit
exploit-db.com/exploits/42429 · Exploit
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog · US Government Resource
CISA KEV · CVE-2017-8464

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