CVE-2017-8464

HIGH KEV

Windows Shell - Remote Code Execution via Crafted .LNK File

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2017-8464 is actively exploited and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added February 10, 2022. EIP tracks 14 public exploits from researchers including nixawk, Yorick Koster, qazbnm456, including a Metasploit module exploits/windows/local/cve_2017_8464_lnk_lpe.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This Python script generates a malicious LNK file exploiting CVE-2017-8464, a vulnerability in Windows' handling of shortcut files. It constructs a crafted Shell Link Binary File Format with malicious payloads to achieve remote code execution.

Description

Windows Shell in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows local users or remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .LNK file, which is not properly handled during icon display in Windows Explorer or any other application that parses the icon of the shortcut. aka "LNK Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."

Exploits (14)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by nixawk · pythonlocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42429

This Python script generates a malicious LNK file exploiting CVE-2017-8464, a vulnerability in Windows' handling of shortcut files. It constructs a crafted Shell Link Binary File Format with malicious payloads to achieve remote code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (multiple versions)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim interaction to execute the malicious LNK file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
by Yorick Koster · rubylocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42382

This Metasploit module exploits CVE-2017-8464, a vulnerability in Windows LNK file handling that allows arbitrary DLL loading via a malicious shortcut file. It generates a crafted LNK file with a SpecialFolderDataBlock to bypass the CPL whitelist and achieve remote code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (multiple versions)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Physical access or social engineering to deliver the malicious LNK file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →
github SUSPICIOUS 3,480 stars
by qazbnm456 · poc
https://github.com/qazbnm456/awesome-cve-poc/tree/master/CVE-2017-8464.md

The repository contains no actual exploit code or technical details, only a reference to an external GitHub repository and a link to a third-party analysis. This is characteristic of a social engineering lure.

Classification
Suspicious 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Theoretical
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Microsoft Windows (LNK vulnerability)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: none provided
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 27, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 66 stars
by 3gstudent · poc
https://github.com/3gstudent/CVE-2017-8464-EXP

This repository contains a proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2017-8464, a Windows LNK remote code execution vulnerability. It includes LNK files for both x86 and x64 architectures, leveraging a DLL to execute arbitrary code when a user opens a malicious shortcut file.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (multiple versions)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: User interaction to open the malicious LNK file · USB drive or network share to deliver the LNK file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
github SUSPICIOUS 14 stars
by xbl3 · poc
https://github.com/xbl3/awesome-cve-poc_qazbnm456/tree/master/CVE-2017-8464.md

The repository contains no actual exploit code or technical details, only a reference to an external GitHub repository and a Chinese article. This is characteristic of a suspicious repository that may be attempting to redirect users to external sources.

Classification
Suspicious 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Theoretical
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Microsoft Windows (specific version not provided)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: none specified
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 27, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 8 stars
by doudouhala · client-side
https://github.com/doudouhala/CVE-2017-8464-exp-generator

This Python script generates a malicious LNK file exploiting CVE-2017-8464, a vulnerability in Windows' handling of shortcut files. It constructs a Shell Link Binary File Format with embedded malicious paths to achieve remote code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (multiple versions)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim interaction to open the malicious LNK file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 2 stars
by TrG-1999 · poc
https://github.com/TrG-1999/DetectPacket-CVE-2017-8464

This repository contains a Python-based tool for detecting exploitation attempts of CVE-2017-8464, a vulnerability in Windows Shell that allows remote code execution via maliciously crafted .LNK files. The PoC includes detailed analysis of network packet signatures and a detection script.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows Shell (Windows Server 2008 SP2/R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8/8.1, Windows Server 2012/R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server 2016)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target system · Ability to deliver a malicious .LNK file (e.g., via USB or network share)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 1 stars
by xssfile · poc
https://github.com/xssfile/CVE-2017-8464-EXP

This repository contains a proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2017-8464, a Windows LNK remote code execution vulnerability. It includes LNK files for both x86 and x64 architectures, leveraging a flaw in how Windows handles shortcut files to execute arbitrary code.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (multiple versions)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Ability to deliver malicious LNK file to target system (e.g., via USB drive or network share)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec STUB 1 stars
by Elm0D · poc
https://github.com/Elm0D/CVE-2017-8464

The repository contains only a README file with minimal information about CVE-2017-8464, mentioning it is a USB drive PoC but lacking any actual exploit code or technical details.

Classification
Stub 30%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Theoretical
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Microsoft Windows (specific versions affected by CVE-2017-8464)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Physical access or ability to insert a malicious USB drive into the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER
by TieuLong21Prosper · poc
https://github.com/TieuLong21Prosper/Detect-CVE-2017-8464

This repository contains a Python script designed to detect potential exploitation attempts of CVE-2017-8464 by analyzing network traffic for suspicious patterns, such as executable payloads (MZ headers) in TCP packets. It captures live traffic, converts it to CSV, and checks against a sample database of known malicious payloads.

Classification
Scanner 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Windows systems vulnerable to CVE-2017-8464 (LNK RCE vulnerability)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to monitor traffic · Python with pyshark and other dependencies installed · Sample database of malicious payloads (sample-detect.csv)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by tuankiethkt020 · poc
https://github.com/tuankiethkt020/Phat-hien-CVE-2017-8464

This repository contains a Python-based detection tool for CVE-2017-8464, which exploits a vulnerability in Windows Shell to execute arbitrary code via malicious LNK files. The code includes a server to monitor network traffic for attack patterns and a client to scan USB drives for malicious payloads.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows (multiple versions)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to monitor traffic · USB drive insertion for client-side detection
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by X-Vector · local
https://github.com/X-Vector/usbhijacking

This is a Metasploit module that exploits CVE-2017-8464, a vulnerability in Windows Shell that allows arbitrary code execution via a crafted .LNK file. The exploit generates a malicious DLL and LNK files designed to trigger the vulnerability when parsed by Windows Explorer or other applications.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to the target system to place the crafted .LNK and DLL files · User interaction to trigger the vulnerability (e.g., viewing the file in Windows Explorer)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC GREAT
by Uncredited, Yorick Koster, Spencer McIntyre · rubypocwin
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/local/cve_2017_8464_lnk_lpe.rb

This Metasploit module exploits CVE-2017-8464, a Windows LNK file vulnerability, by creating a malicious shortcut that loads a DLL from a crafted Control Panel applet, achieving local privilege escalation.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Windows (multiple versions)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Writeable directory indexed for searching · Search Indexer process running
devstral-2 · analyzed Apr 24, 2026 Full analysis →
patchapalooza NO CODE
by Ascotbe · local
https://github.com/Ascotbe/Kernelhub

References (6)

Core 6
Core References
Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42382/
Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42429/
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038671
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/98818

Scores

CVSS v3 8.8
EPSS 0.9388
EPSS Percentile 99.9%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation active
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Details

CISA KEV 2022-02-10
VulnCheck KEV 2017-06-13
InTheWild.io 2017-06-13
ENISA EUVD EUVD-2017-17414
Status published
Products (12)
microsoft/windows_10_1511
microsoft/windows_10_1607
microsoft/windows_10_1703
microsoft/windows_7
microsoft/windows_8.1
microsoft/windows_rt_8.1
microsoft/windows_server_2008
microsoft/windows_server_2008 r2 sp1 (2 CPE variants)
microsoft/windows_server_2012
microsoft/windows_server_2012 r2
... and 2 more
Published Jun 15, 2017
KEV Added Feb 10, 2022
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026