Description

Out-of-bounds read in Windows NTFS allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "7.8",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-11T17:18:38.813Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-11T17:18:38.813Z",
  "executiveSummary": "An out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists within Windows NTFS, specifically affecting local privilege elevation capabilities. The vulnerability enables an authorized local attacker to read sensitive memory structures, potentially bypassing security boundaries. The affected product is Windows NTFS, and the primary impact centers on local privilege escalation and potential information disclosure. Risk implications include unauthorized access to restricted memory spaces, which can facilitate further exploitation chains targeting the underlying operating system kernel. Exploitation requirements dictate that the attacker must already possess local access and authorization to interact with the target system. The flaw presents a localized threat vector, requiring no network exposure but demanding valid execution privileges on the host to initiate the attack sequence.",
  "technicalDetails": "The root cause of the vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the Windows NTFS component during the parsing of specific file system structures or input parameters. When processing specially crafted requests, the vulnerable component fails to adequately validate input lengths, resulting in an out-of-bounds read condition where memory operations extend beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.\nExploitation occurs when an authorized local attacker executes a meticulously engineered payload designed to interact with the Windows NTFS driver or file system subsystem. The attack flow initiates via local system calls or crafted input parameters delivered to the vulnerable component. Because input validation routines are deficient, the parsing logic reads contiguous memory addresses beyond the intended buffer allocation limits.\nThis unauthorized memory read exposes kernel-level data or sensitive process structures, which the attacker can analyze to map memory layouts or extract cryptographic materials, session identifiers, or addresses necessary for more advanced compromise. The authentication requirements mandate that the attacker possesses local access to the system. Privilege requirements are limited to standard authorized user execution levels, as the flaw specifically targets local privilege elevation from a low-integrity or medium-integrity context to higher privilege levels.\nNetwork exposure is non-existent, as the vulnerability is strictly local and cannot be leveraged remotely without prior access to the host. Post-exploitation impact includes the potential leakage of sensitive kernel memory contents, which significantly aids in circumventing security mitigations such as Address Space Layout Randomization, ultimately leading to successful local privilege escalation and full system compromise when chained with complementary vulnerabilities."
}