--- title: Beware New Windows Vulnerability With Remote Search Window Access description: Beware New Windows Vulnerability With Remote Search Window Access --- [Securafy Knowledge Hub](https://blog.securafy.com) - [Topics](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-cover) - [Tools](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-tools) - [Books & Guides](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-books) [Talk to Securafy](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) [Topics](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-cover) [Tools](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-tools) [Books & Guides](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-books) [Talk to Securafy](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) [Knowledge Hub](https://blog.securafy.com) / IT Operations IT Operations # Beware New Windows Vulnerability With Remote Search Window Access Beware New Windows Vulnerability With Remote Search Window Access ![Randy Hall](https://blog.securafy.com/hubfs/Randy%20Hall%202.png) By Randy Hall Updated Jul 2024 2 min read Share [**](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://blog.securafy.com/2022/06/30/beware-new-windows-vulnerability-with-remote-search-window-access) [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.securafy.com/2022/06/30/beware-new-windows-vulnerability-with-remote-search-window-access&text=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EBeware+New+Windows+Vulnerability+With+Remote+Search+Window+Access%3C%2Fspan%3E) [**](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EBeware+New+Windows+Vulnerability+With+Remote+Search+Window+Access%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=https://blog.securafy.com/2022/06/30/beware-new-windows-vulnerability-with-remote-search-window-access) ![](https://static.hsstatic.net/BlogImporterAssetsUI/ex/missing-image.png)You may not know the name Matthew Hickey, but you should thank him for a recent discovery that could save you a lot of grief. Hickey is the co-founder of a company called Hacker House.  He recently discovered a flaw that could allow for the opening of a remote search window simply by opening a Word or RTF document. This newly discovered zero-day vulnerability is about as serious as it gets. **Here's how it works:** A specially crafted Word Document or RTF is created which, when launched, will automatically launch a "search-MS" command, which opens a Windows Search window. This window lists executable files on a remote share and the share can be given any name the attacker desires such as "Critical Updates" and the like. That would naturally prompt an unsuspecting user to click the file name to run that file. Naturally, clicking the file name wouldn't do anything other than install malware, which is exactly what the hackers are trying to do. Although not quite as dangerous as the MS-MSDT remote code execution security flaw, this one is still incredibly serious. Even worse, there is not currently a patch that will make your system safer. The good news however, is that there are steps you can take to minimize your risks. **If you're worried about this security flaw, here's what you can do:** - Run Command Prompt as Administrator. - To back up the registry key, execute the command "reg export HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTsearch-ms search-ms.reg" - Execute the command "reg delete HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTsearch-ms /f" Kudos to the sharp eyes of Matthew Hickey for first spotting this flaw.  We can only hope when the next zero-day rears its head, researchers like Mr. Hickey will be there to help point them out and show us how to defeat them. Tagged Under IT Operations[Cybersecurity](https://blog.securafy.com/tag/cybersecurity)Business Continuity In This Article Need Help With Your Current Setup? Talk through your current systems, risks, and support gaps with Securafy. [Book a Strategy Call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) ## Join The Conversation Have a question or perspective on this topic? Add it below. ![Randy Hall](https://blog.securafy.com/hubfs/Randy%20Hall%202.png) About The Author Randy Hall · CEO & Founder Randy Hall is the CEO and Founder of Securafy, with decades of experience helping organizations make smarter, safer decisions about technology. A frequent speaker and instructor at national IT events, Randy has advised thousands of organizations, from startups and SMBs to large enterprises and U.S. government entities, on secure, practical technology adoption. He writes about the decisions business leaders are often expected to make without enough context, including cybersecurity, compliance, AI, cyber insurance, IT strategy, and business resilience. Outside the office, you’ll often find Randy on Lake Erie enjoying time on his 38-foot Chris-Craft. **Writes about:** Cybersecurity strategy, compliance, AI security, business resilience, cyber insurance, SMB risk, IT leadership [More From This Author →](https://blog.securafy.com/author/randyhall) Related Articles Business Continuity [Compliance Risk Assessment: How Downtime Impacts Your Bottom Line](https://blog.securafy.com/compliance-risk-assessment-how-downtime-impacts-your-bottom-line) When systems go down, compliance obligations don't pause—and the financial consequences ... Jul 28, 2026 Compliance [HIPAA Security Rule Changes Are Delayed To 2027: Why Healthcare Organizations Should Not Wait](https://blog.securafy.com/hipaa-security-rule-changes-are-delayed-to-2027-why-healthcare-organizations-should-not-wait) The updated HIPAA Security Rule won't take effect until 2027, but healthcare ... 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