CVE-2019-1188: LNK Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Windows that could allow remote code execution if a .LNK file is processed. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. The attacker could present to the user a removable drive, or remote share, that contains a malicious .LNK file and an associated malicious binary. When the user opens this drive(or remote share) in Windows Explorer, or any other application that parses the .LNK file, the malicious binary will execute code of the attacker’s choice, on the target system. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the processing of shortcut LNK references.
Other sources
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Windows that could allow remote code execution if a .LNK file is processed.An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user, aka 'LNK Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.
Affected Software
Remediation
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What user interaction is required for exploitation?
A user must open a removable drive or remote share containing a malicious .LNK file and associated malicious binary in Windows Explorer, or another application that parses the .LNK file.
What level of access could an attacker obtain?
Successful exploitation allows code execution with the same rights as the local user. Accounts with administrative rights face greater impact than accounts configured with fewer user rights.
Which systems are identified as affected?
The listed affected products are Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Windows Server 2016, and Microsoft Windows Server 2019.
What should be done to remediate the issue?
Apply the available security update, which corrects the processing of shortcut LNK references.