CVE-2023-35384: Windows 10 1507 Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2023-35384 Overview

CVE-2023-35384 is a security feature bypass vulnerability affecting Microsoft Windows HTML Platforms. This vulnerability allows attackers to circumvent security protections in Windows HTML rendering components, potentially enabling them to bypass security boundaries that would normally protect users from malicious content. The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, as victims must be convinced to interact with malicious content delivered via a network-based attack vector.

Critical Impact

Attackers can bypass Windows HTML platform security features, potentially allowing malicious content to execute or access resources that should be protected by security boundaries. This could lead to significant integrity impacts on affected systems.

Affected Products

• Microsoft Windows 10 (versions 1507, 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2)
• Microsoft Windows 11 (versions 21H2, 22H2)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 and R2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2016
• Microsoft Windows Server 2019
• Microsoft Windows Server 2022

Discovery Timeline

• August 8, 2023 - CVE-2023-35384 published to NVD
• November 21, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2023-35384

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability resides in the Windows HTML Platforms component, which handles HTML content rendering and processing across the Windows operating system. The security feature bypass occurs due to improper handling of external file references within HTML content processing, classified under CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path).

The vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious content that bypasses security controls designed to prevent unauthorized access to system resources or execution of untrusted content. When a user interacts with specially crafted content, the HTML platform fails to properly enforce security boundaries, potentially allowing an attacker to manipulate file paths or references in ways that circumvent intended security restrictions.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2023-35384 lies in how the Windows HTML Platforms component handles external file references. The vulnerability is associated with CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path), indicating that the component fails to properly validate or sanitize externally-controlled file paths. This allows attackers to potentially redirect file operations or access resources outside the intended security context.

The insufficient validation in the HTML rendering pipeline creates an opportunity for malicious actors to craft content that exploits the trust relationship between HTML content and the underlying file system, effectively bypassing security features designed to isolate web content from local system resources.

Attack Vector

The attack requires network access and user interaction. An attacker would typically need to:

1. Craft malicious HTML content designed to exploit the file path handling vulnerability
2. Deliver the content to a victim through a network-based vector such as a malicious website, email attachment, or document containing embedded HTML
3. Convince the user to open or interact with the malicious content
4. Upon user interaction, the malicious content bypasses security features to achieve its intended effect

The vulnerability does not require special privileges to exploit, but does require the victim to actively interact with the malicious content. No changes to the scope of the security context occur during exploitation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2023-35384

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTML file access patterns in Windows HTML rendering components
• Suspicious file path references in HTML content attempting to access system directories
• Anomalous process behavior from HTML rendering engines accessing unexpected file locations
• Security event logs showing bypassed security checks in HTML platform components

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Windows Security Event Logs for unusual file access patterns from HTML rendering processes
• Deploy endpoint detection rules targeting suspicious HTML content with external file references
• Implement network-level inspection for HTML content containing potentially malicious file path manipulations
• Use SentinelOne behavioral AI to detect attempts to bypass HTML platform security controls

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable enhanced logging for Windows HTML Platforms components
• Configure alerting for security feature bypass attempts in endpoint protection solutions
• Monitor for unexpected file system access from browser and HTML rendering processes
• Review network traffic for delivery of potentially malicious HTML content

How to Mitigate CVE-2023-35384

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the latest Microsoft security updates for all affected Windows systems immediately
• Review systems for potential exploitation attempts prior to patching
• Educate users about the risks of opening untrusted HTML content or clicking suspicious links
• Consider implementing additional network-level filtering for HTML content

Patch Information

Microsoft has released security updates to address CVE-2023-35384. Organizations should apply the appropriate patches for their Windows versions as detailed in the Microsoft Security Advisory for CVE-2023-35384. The patches correct the improper file path handling in the Windows HTML Platforms component.

Administrators should prioritize patching based on system criticality and exposure. Windows Server systems and user-facing workstations that regularly process external HTML content should be prioritized for immediate patching.

Workarounds

• Restrict user access to untrusted websites and HTML content sources where possible
• Implement application control policies to limit HTML rendering to trusted applications
• Consider using virtualized or isolated environments for processing untrusted HTML content
• Deploy content filtering at the network perimeter to block known malicious HTML patterns

# Verify Windows Update status for CVE-2023-35384 remediation
# Check for installed updates related to this security bulletin
wmic qfe list | findstr /i "KB"

# Enable enhanced Windows Defender logging for HTML platform activity
Set-MpPreference -EnableNetworkProtection Enabled

# Configure Windows Firewall logging for enhanced monitoring
netsh advfirewall set allprofiles logging allowedconnections enable
netsh advfirewall set allprofiles logging droppedconnections enable