Windows
CVE-2026-25174
HIGH
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessAuthenticated user crafts malicious file
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ExploitTrigger out-of-bounds read in exFAT parser
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ExecutionAccess elevated memory regions
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ImpactEscalate local 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A06:2021 - Vulnerable and Outdated Components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 | Attacker must have local system access with standard user privileges. Exploitation requires crafted exFAT filesystem image or specially formatted file that triggers out-of-bounds read in Windows exFAT driver (exfat.sys). Affects Windows systems with exFAT filesystem support enabled. |
| 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 Extensible File Allocation (exFAT) contains an out-of-bounds read vulnerability affecting Windows Server 2022, Windows 10 1607, and Windows 11 versions 23h2/25h2, enabling authenticated local users to escalate privileges with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability requires local access and user-level privileges to exploit, with no patch currently available. This flaw carries a CVSS score of 7.8 and affects multiple supported Windows versions across server and client platforms.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
Out-of-bounds read in Windows Extensible File Allocation 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 Extensible File Allocation 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 Extensible File Allocation allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2026-25174 is a high-severity privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows Extensible File Allocation that allows authorized local users to gain elevated system access. This affects Windows systems across the organization and poses a significant risk to data confidentiality and system integrity, particularly for multi-user environments or systems where account compromise is possible.
Disable exFAT file system support on systems where operationally feasible; implement strict local account privilege management and principle of least privilege; enable and monitor Windows Event Viewer for privilege escalation attempts; restrict local login access through Group Policy where possible; maintain isolated, air-gapped systems for critical workloads until patch availability; deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect exploitation behavior.
Threat Intelligence Overview
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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NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
VulDB
GitHub PoC
Exploit-DB