---
id: "CVE-2023-32049"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2023-32049"]
title: "Windows SmartScreen Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability"
severity: "high"
cvss: 8.8
epss: null
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Microsoft Windows", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 1607", "fixed": ["10.0.14393.6085"], "affected": "< 10.0.14393.6085", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 1809", "fixed": ["10.0.17763.4645"], "affected": "< 10.0.17763.4645", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 21h2", "fixed": ["10.0.19041.3208"], "affected": "< 10.0.19041.3208", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 22h2", "fixed": ["10.0.19045.3208"], "affected": "< 10.0.19045.3208", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 11 21h2", "fixed": ["10.0.22000.2176"], "affected": "< 10.0.22000.2176", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 11 22h2", "fixed": ["10.0.22621.1992"], "affected": "< 10.0.22621.1992", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2016", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2019", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2022", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["exploited", "infrastructure", "windows", "windows-endpoints"]
not_affected_if: ["unknown"]
published_at: "2023-07-11T00:00:00+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2023-32049", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-32049", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00"}]
---

# Windows SmartScreen Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

Microsoft Windows Defender SmartScreen has a flaw that lets an attacker skip the Open File - Security Warning prompt. Attackers get a file that runs without the usual warning, which is a common step in malware delivery.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Microsoft Windows affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 1607 affected < 10.0.14393.6085 fixed 10.0.14393.6085
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 1809 affected < 10.0.17763.4645 fixed 10.0.17763.4645
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 21h2 affected < 10.0.19041.3208 fixed 10.0.19041.3208
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 22h2 affected < 10.0.19045.3208 fixed 10.0.19045.3208
- vendor:microsoft windows 11 21h2 affected < 10.0.22000.2176 fixed 10.0.22000.2176
- vendor:microsoft windows 11 22h2 affected < 10.0.22621.1992 fixed 10.0.22621.1992
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2016 affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2019 affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2022 affected ? fixed ?

## Fix

Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2023-32049 per vendor instructions; if no update is available, discontinue use of the affected product (per CISA).

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2023-32049
- 2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-32049

## From the sources

Microsoft Windows Defender SmartScreen contains a security feature bypass vulnerability that allows an attacker to bypass the Open File - Security Warning prompt.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if updates are unavailable.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_