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CVE-2023-36025 is a security feature bypass vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Defender SmartScreen caused by insufficient security checks and associated warning prompts for specially crafted Internet Shortcut (.url) files. Opening a malicious shortcut, or a hyperlink pointing to one, can bypass expected SmartScreen protections while retrieving and executing malicious payloads. Observed exploitation chains used remotely hosted control panel items and scripts to deliver malware, including Phemedrone Stealer and DarkGate. Microsoft released a fix on November 14, 2023; exploitation occurred before public disclosure.
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2 valid exploits after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos.
This repository provides an exploit for CVE-2023-36025, a Windows SmartScreen Security Feature Bypass vulnerability. The main exploit is implemented in 'CVE-2023-36025.vbs', a VBScript file that launches a Python-based reverse shell. The script, when executed on a vulnerable Windows system, connects back to a specified attacker's IP address and TCP port (default: 172.27.136.131:8888), providing the attacker with a remote shell. The repository also includes a .url shortcut file pointing to the VBScript, and a README with usage instructions. The exploit requires the attacker to set up a reverse TCP handler (such as Metasploit's multi/handler) to receive the shell. The payload is operational and provides remote command execution on the target system. The repository is small, with three files: the exploit script, a shortcut, and documentation.
This repository is a proof-of-concept (PoC) for CVE-2023-36025, a vulnerability affecting Microsoft Windows. The repository contains a README describing the exploit and a .url file (testing.url) that references a script inside a ZIP archive via a file:// URL. The exploit demonstrates how a specially crafted .url file can be used to trigger the vulnerability when the referenced ZIP file is hosted on a server accessible to the victim. There is no executable code; the exploit relies on the victim opening the .url file, which then attempts to access and potentially execute a script from within the ZIP file. The repository is minimal and intended for demonstration and testing purposes only.
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26 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
A Windows SmartScreen bypass vulnerability involving .url shortcut exploits, referenced here as part of an earlier campaign linked to the same infrastructure/operator.
Possible exploitation of CVE-2023-36025 in a Windows attack simulation dataset.
A Windows Defender SmartScreen security bypass vulnerability exploited through malicious Internet Shortcut (.url) files opened by users. In the investigated campaign, the shortcut downloads and executes a malicious control panel (.cpl) file without the expected SmartScreen warning, initiating a multistage infection that delivers Phemedrone Stealer. Public proof-of-concept exploits are available, and CISA added the vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Microsoft released a patch on November 14, 2023.
A Windows SmartScreen security feature bypass vulnerability included in the affiliate's observed GitHub interests. The content does not establish actual exploitation or use in Qilin ransomware operations.
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Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.
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Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.