A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Shell does not properly validate file paths.
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. If the current user is logged on as an administrator, an attacker could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with elevated privileges. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer privileges on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative privileges.
To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker must entice a user to open a specially crafted file. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending the specially crafted file to the user and then convincing the user to open the file. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website (or leverage a compromised website that accepts or hosts user-provided content) that contains a specially crafted file designed to exploit the vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force a user to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince a user to click a link and open the specially crafted file.
This security update addresses the vulnerability by ensuring the Windows Shell properly validates file paths.
## Where it's fixed | Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released | |---|---|---|---|---| | Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1703 for 32-bit Systems | 15063.1266 | [KB4343885](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4343885.md) | Aug 14, 2018 | | Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1703 for x64-based Systems | 15063.1266 | [KB4343885](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4343885.md) | Aug 14, 2018 | | Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1709 for 32-bit Systems | 16299.611 | [KB4343897](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4343897.md) | Aug 14, 2018 | | Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1709 for x64-based Systems | 16299.611 | [KB4343897](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4343897.md) | Aug 14, 2018 | | Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1803 for 32-bit Systems | 17134.228 | [KB4343909](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4343909.md) | Aug 14, 2018 | | Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1803 for x64-based Systems | 17134.228 | [KB4343909](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4343909.md) | Aug 14, 2018 | | Microsoft | Windows Server, version 1709 (Server Core Installation) | 16299.611 | [KB4343897](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4343897.md) | Aug 14, 2018 | | Microsoft | Windows Server, version 1803 (Server Core Installation) | 17134.228 | [KB4343909](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/microsoft/kb4343909.md) | Aug 14, 2018 | --- Data as of 2026-11-07T18:46:35Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo Free to use with attribution: show "Data: Patchblox Patch Radar" with a link to https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar. Terms, including what needs a written agreement: https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar/use-the-data Product names, logos and trademarks shown on Patch Radar belong to their respective owners. They are used only to identify the software each security fix applies to and to help readers find their platform. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, those owners, and Patchblox is not affiliated with any of them.