Description

No cwe for this issue in Windows DNS allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "6.7",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-11T17:18:59.427Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-11T17:18:59.427Z",
  "executiveSummary": "A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists within Windows DNS. This security flaw enables an authorized local attacker to elevate their execution privileges on targeted systems. The vulnerability impacts the Windows DNS service component, which traditionally operates with elevated system permissions. By successfully exploiting this flaw, an attacker with initial local access can compromise system integrity and execute arbitrary operations within a privileged context. The risk implications include complete system compromise, unauthorized modification of critical operating system configurations, and potential persistence mechanism deployment. Exploitation requires the attacker to possess prior authorized local access to the target system, meaning unauthenticated remote attackers cannot trigger the vulnerability directly. Security analysts must prioritize local privilege boundary enforcement and monitor for anomalous process execution originating from service contexts associated with Windows DNS.",
  "technicalDetails": "The vulnerability resides within the Windows DNS service component, specifically concerning how it handles local operations and internal state management. The root cause stems from insufficient validation and improper access control enforcement within the affected binaries and underlying communication channels utilized by Windows DNS. Because no CWE identifier is explicitly assigned, the underlying mechanics map generally to improper privilege management and insecure handling of local inter-process communication or file system objects.\nThe attack flow begins when an authorized local attacker establishes execution capabilities on the target Windows system. The attacker leverages existing local access to interact directly with vulnerable interfaces exposed by Windows DNS. Due to the lack of stringent permission checks and inadequate input validation within the service logic, the attacker can supply crafted inputs or manipulate local execution contexts. This manipulation tricks the Windows DNS service—running under a highly privileged account such as SYSTEM or Network Service—into performing unintended actions on behalf of the attacker.\nDuring exploitation, the payload behavior manifests as the execution of arbitrary commands or the modification of protected system resources with elevated privileges. Since Windows DNS inherently requires high-level privileges to perform network name resolution and system administration tasks, any successful manipulation of its internal execution flow directly translates to a vertical privilege escalation for the attacker. Post-exploitation impact includes the ability to install malicious drivers, create new administrative user accounts, modify security policy settings, and disable endpoint detection agents, effectively granting the attacker full control over the underlying operating system environment."
}