Windows
CVE-2026-25176
HIGH
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessAuthenticate as local user
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DeliveryLoad malicious WinSock auxiliary function
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ExploitBypass access control validation
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ExecutionExecute kernel-level code
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ImpactAchieve SYSTEM privilege escalation
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V8 - Authorization Access control enforcement
MITRE ATT&CK
1 technique across 1 tactic: Defense Evasion 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 WinSock auxiliary function driver enabled. Attacker must have local logon capability and ability to load custom WinSock helper DLLs or modules. |
| 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 Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock in Windows 10 (all versions) and Windows 11 contains an access control weakness that enables authenticated local attackers to escalate privileges to system level. An attacker with standard user credentials can exploit this flaw to gain elevated rights on affected systems. No patch is currently available for this vulnerability.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
Improper access control in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock 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-284 (Improper Access Control). Improper access control in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock 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
Improper access control in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2026-25176 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows that allows authenticated users to gain elevated system access. This poses a significant insider threat risk to organizations, as compromised user accounts or malicious employees could escalate to administrative privileges, potentially enabling data theft, system compromise, or lateral movement across the network.
Disable WinSock Auxiliary Function Driver if not operationally required; implement strict application whitelisting and code integrity policies; enforce multi-factor authentication on all privileged accounts; deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) to monitor for privilege escalation attempts; restrict local administrator rights and implement privileged access management (PAM) solutions; segment networks to contain lateral movement; enable Windows Defender Exploit Guard mitigations for local privilege escalation attacks.
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
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
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GitHub PoC
Exploit-DB