Windows
CVE-2026-23673
HIGH
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
-
AccessAuthenticate as local user
-
DeliveryCraft malicious ReFS file metadata
-
ExploitTrigger out-of-bounds read
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ExecutionCorrupt memory structures
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ImpactEscalate privileges to SYSTEM
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2021 - Vulnerable and Outdated Components
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Bounds checking, read limits
MITRE ATT&CK
1 technique across 1 tactic: Collection The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Exploitation Conditions | Local user account required on Windows system with ReFS filesystem mounted. Attacker must have write access to ReFS volume to create specially-crafted file metadata that triggers out-of-bounds read in ReFS parser. |
| 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. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026
Windows ReFS contains an out-of-bounds read vulnerability affecting Server 2019, 2022, 2025, and Windows 11 26h1 that enables authenticated local users to escalate privileges with high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability requires low attack complexity and no user interaction, making it exploitable by any authenticated user on the system. No patch is currently available for this HIGH severity issue.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
Out-of-bounds read in Windows Resilient File System (ReFS) allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. [CVSS 7.8 HIGH]
RemediationAI
Monitor vendor advisories for a patch.
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 15 packages in microsoft
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
Classified as CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read). Out-of-bounds read in Windows Resilient File System (ReFS) 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
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
DescriptionCVE.org
Out-of-bounds read in Windows Resilient File System (ReFS) allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2026-23673 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows ReFS that allows authorized users to gain elevated system access. This poses a significant risk to organizations where user account compromise could lead to lateral movement and full system control, particularly in environments with sensitive data or critical infrastructure.
Restrict ReFS volume access to trusted administrators only; disable ReFS feature on non-essential systems; implement privileged access management (PAM) controls to limit authorized user capabilities; enable enhanced audit logging for privilege escalation attempts; segment critical systems from general user workstations; monitor for suspicious SYSTEM-level process creation from user-initiated activities.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
VulDB
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.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
A buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a memory buffer than it was allocated to hold, causing the excess data to spill into adjacent memory regions.
Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
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GitHub PoC
Exploit-DB