CVE-2019-1188
LNK Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Published Aug 14, 2019
CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High
EPSS 3.7%
KEV · Not listed
Description
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.
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.
Analysis
Affected Products
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CVE record
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NVD configurations
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Red Hat packages
No data
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OpenCVE enrichment
No data
Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).
| Vendor | Product | Default status | Versions | ||||||
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| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1803 | affected |
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| Microsoft | Windows Server, version 1803 (Server Core Installation) | affected |
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| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1809 | affected |
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| Microsoft | Windows Server 2019 | affected |
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| Microsoft | Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) | affected |
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| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems | affected |
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| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1709 | affected |
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| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems | affected |
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| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems | affected |
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| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systems | affected |
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| Microsoft | Windows Server, version 1903 (Server Core installation) | affected |
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Configuration 1 [-]
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No data.
No data available yet.
Remediation
Tracking
Advisories
| Source | ID | Title |
|---|---|---|
 EUVD |
EUVD-2019-9759 | 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. |
Metrics
No CVSS v4.0
Attack Vector Network
Attack Complexity High
Privileges Required None
Scope Unchanged
Confidentiality Impact High
Integrity Impact High
Availability Impact High
User Interaction Required
No CVSS v3.0
Access Vector Network
Access Complexity Medium
Authentication None
Confidentiality Impact Complete
Integrity Impact Complete
Availability Impact Complete
This CVE is not in the KEV list.
Exploit prediction score: 3.7% (3.749% probability within 30 days)
Exploitation poc
Automatable no
Technical Impact total
References
History
Feb 21, 2026 4:15 PM
Scoring metrics updated
View changes
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| Metrics |
ssvc
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Feb 20, 2026 9:00 PM
Description updated
View changes
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| Description | 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. | 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. |
Subscriptions
Weaknesses
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CWE-59
Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
