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Windows CVE-2026-21232

HIGH
Untrusted Pointer Dereference (CWE-822)
2026-02-10 secure@microsoft.com
Windows Microsoft Windows 11 23h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows Server 2022 23h2 Windows Server 2025
7.8
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Authenticated local access to Windows system
  2. Exploit
    Craft malicious HTTP request to HTTP.sys
  3. Execution
    Trigger untrusted pointer dereference
  4. Impact
    Execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-822
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2021 - Vulnerable and Outdated Components
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Untrusted pointer prevention
Exploitation Conditions

Authenticated user account on Windows system with local access; HTTP.sys service running with default configuration; ability to send crafted HTTP requests to trigger pointer dereference in kernel driver
Impact

CVSS 7.8 (HIGH). Attack vector: Local. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: Low. User interaction: None. Exploitable via local access.
Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Windows HTTP.sys contains an untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability that enables authenticated local users to escalate privileges on Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022/2025 systems. An attacker with valid credentials can exploit this flaw to gain elevated access without user interaction. No patch is currently available for this HIGH severity issue affecting multiple Windows versions.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 22:02 CVSS 7.8

Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows HTTP.sys allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. [CVSS 7.8 HIGH]

RemediationAI

Monitor vendor advisories for a patch.

Affected Packages

microsoft windows_11_version_23h2_10_0_22631_6649 fix: Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.22631.6649, Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.22631.6649
microsoft windows_11_version_24h2_10_0_26100_7840 fix: Windows 11 Version 24H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.26100.7840, Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.26100.7840
microsoft windows_11_version_25h2_10_0_26200_7840 fix: Windows 11 Version 25H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.26200.7840, Windows 11 Version 25H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.26200.7840
microsoft windows_11_version_26h1_10_0_28000_1575 fix: Windows 11 Version 26H1 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.28000.1575, Windows 11 version 26H1 for x64-based Systems 10.0.28000.1575
microsoft windows_server_2022_23h2_edition_10_0_25398_2149 fix: Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation) 10.0.25398.2149
microsoft windows_server_2025_10_0_26100_32370 fix: Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.32370, Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.32370

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 6 packages in microsoft

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Technical ContextAI · show details

Affects Windows 11 23H2. Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows HTTP.sys allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 7.8 HIGH
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

DescriptionCVE.org

Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows HTTP.sys allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

A high-severity vulnerability in Windows HTTP.sys enables local privilege escalation for authorized users, potentially allowing attackers to gain administrative access to affected systems. This poses significant risk to organizations running Windows servers, as compromised accounts could be leveraged to access sensitive data and critical infrastructure.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Implement strict access controls limiting user privilege levels; disable HTTP.sys services where operationally feasible; deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for privilege escalation attempts; restrict local administrative access; enforce application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution; segment networks to limit lateral movement from compromised accounts.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 94% exploitable
Data Quality
3 sources
Confidence: Low
NVD CVE.org EPSS

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact
High

Priority Score

39
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +39
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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References

Advisories & patches
ADVISORY https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-21232

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