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Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Obtain low-privilege network credentials
  2. Delivery
    Establish authorized network session
  3. Exploit
    Craft TCP/IP packets targeting alternate stack path
  4. Execution
    Trigger CWE-288 bypass of security enforcement
  5. Impact
    Achieve unauthorized high-integrity network action

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A07:2025 - Authentication Failures
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication Alternate path authentication
Exploitation Conditions

Exploitation requires that the attacker hold at least low-level authorization on the network - described explicitly in the CVE as 'an authorized attacker,' and reflected in CVSS PR:L. This rules out anonymous or fully unauthenticated exploitation. The bypass occurs over the network (AV:N, AC:L), meaning no local or physical access is required, and no user interaction is needed (UI:N). The specific security feature being bypassed is not named in the available data, but the CWE-288 class and 'Windows TCP/IP' component suggest it involves a network-facing control enforced within the TCP/IP stack. Limiting factors: the attacker must already possess valid credentials or an authorized network session; SSVC confirms the attack is not automatable, implying environment- or target-specific conditions must be met per exploitation attempt. No special non-default configuration is identified as required from available data, but the precise triggering condition (e.g., a specific protocol, port, or service binding) is not disclosed.

Impact

CVSS 6.5 (Medium) with PR:L indicates the attacker must already be authenticated or authorized on the network, which is a meaningful barrier that tempers the effective risk relative to the I:H integrity impact. EPSS of 0.06% at the 18th percentile is exceptionally low, suggesting virtually no observed or modeled exploit activity in the wild. SSVC corroborates this: exploitation status 'none,' not automatable, and only partial technical impact. This is not in the CISA KEV catalog, and no POC has been identified. The principal real-world risk driver is the sheer breadth of the affected product surface - virtually every Windows deployment - meaning even a low exploitation probability translates to potential scale if a POC emerges. However, the PR:L prerequisite means mass-automated exploitation is unlikely without a privilege escalation chain. Current signals point to this as a lower-priority patch item compared to unauthenticated or KEV-listed vulnerabilities, but organizations with externally accessible Windows services or multi-tenant environments should prioritize patching given the integrity impact.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker with low-level network credentials - such as a domain user or VPN-authenticated user - crafts TCP/IP packets that route through an alternate, unguarded code path in the Windows networking stack, bypassing a security enforcement mechanism (such as a firewall rule or protocol-level access gate) that would otherwise block the traffic. No public exploit code has been identified, so this scenario currently requires bespoke development of the exploit technique. The SSVC assessment of 'not automatable' suggests that reliable mass exploitation without per-target adaptation is unlikely at this stage.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
Patch available 0.1% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Jul 23, 2026

Windows TCP/IP stack allows a low-privilege network-authenticated attacker to bypass a security feature by exploiting an alternate path or channel (CWE-288), resulting in a high-integrity impact without requiring user interaction. Affected scope spans Windows 10 (versions 1607 through 22H2), Windows 11 (versions 22H3 through 26H1), and Windows Server 2012 through Server 2025, making the exposure footprint extremely broad. No public exploit code exists and no active exploitation is confirmed at time of analysis; EPSS at 0.06% (18th percentile) and SSVC classification of 'exploitation: none, automatable: no' indicate low near-term weaponization risk despite the wide attack surface.

RemediationAI

Apply the Microsoft security updates released for this vulnerability, available via Windows Update, WSUS, or the Microsoft Update Catalog as referenced in the MSRC advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-35422. Specific fix build targets confirmed from EUVD data include: Windows 11 24H2 to 10.0.26100.8457, Windows 11 25H2 to 10.0.26200.8457, Windows 11 26H1 to 10.0.28000.2113, Windows Server 2025 to 10.0.26100.32860, Windows Server 2022 to 10.0.20348.5139, Windows Server 2019 to 10.0.17763.8755, and Windows Server 2016 to 10.0.14393.9140, among others listed above. For legacy systems such as Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2, which are beyond mainstream support, verify Extended Security Update (ESU) eligibility before applying patches. As a compensating control where immediate patching is not possible, restricting network access to Windows systems from untrusted or unprivileged principals via host-based firewall rules or network segmentation can reduce the attack surface, though this does not eliminate the underlying vulnerability and must be tailored to operational requirements. Prioritize patching in environments where low-privilege network accounts exist (e.g., domain-joined systems, VPN endpoints, or shared infrastructure).

Affected VersionsENISA

Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9140
Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 <10.0.26200.8457
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26079
Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 <10.0.19044.7291
Windows 11 version 22H3 10.0.22631.0 <10.0.22631.7079
Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.32860
Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26079
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.32860
Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9140
Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.8755
Windows 11 Version 23H2 10.0.22631.0 <10.0.22631.7079
Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.0 <10.0.20348.5139
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.8755
Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23181
Windows 10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9140
Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.8755
Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 <10.0.28000.2113
Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.8457
Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation) 10.0.25398.0 <10.0.25398.2330
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23181
Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 <10.0.19045.7291

Affected Packages

microsoft windows_10_version_1607_10_0_14393_9140 fix: Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.14393.9140, Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems 10.0.14393.9140
microsoft windows_10_version_1809_10_0_17763_8755 fix: Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.17763.8755, Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems 10.0.17763.8755
microsoft windows_10_version_21h2_10_0_19044_7291 fix: Windows 10 Version 21H2 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.19044.7291, Windows 10 Version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.19044.7291, Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.19044.7291
microsoft windows_10_version_22h2_10_0_19045_7291 fix: Windows 10 Version 22H2 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.19045.7291, Windows 10 Version 22H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.19045.7291, Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.19045.7291
microsoft windows_11_version_23h2_10_0_22631_7079 fix: Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.22631.7079, Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.22631.7079
microsoft windows_11_version_24h2_10_0_26100_8457 fix: Windows 11 Version 24H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.26100.8457, Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.26100.8457
microsoft windows_11_version_25h2_10_0_26200_8457 fix: Windows 11 Version 25H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.26200.8457, Windows 11 Version 25H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.26200.8457
microsoft windows_11_version_26h1_10_0_28000_2113 fix: Windows 11 Version 26H1 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.28000.2113, Windows 11 version 26H1 for x64-based Systems 10.0.28000.2113
microsoft windows_server_2012_6_2_9200_26079 fix: Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.26079, Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.26079
microsoft windows_server_2012_r2_6_3_9600_23181 fix: Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.23181, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.23181
microsoft windows_server_2016_10_0_14393_9140 fix: Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.9140, Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.9140
microsoft windows_server_2019_10_0_17763_8755 fix: Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.8755, Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.8755
microsoft windows_server_2022_10_0_20348_5139 fix: Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.5139, Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation) 10.0.20348.5139
microsoft windows_server_2022_23h2_edition_10_0_25398_2330 fix: Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation) 10.0.25398.2330
microsoft windows_server_2025_10_0_26100_32860 fix: Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.32860, Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.32860
euvd windows_10_version_1607 fix: 10.0.14393.9140
euvd windows_10_version_1809 fix: 10.0.17763.8755
euvd windows_10_version_21h2 fix: 10.0.19044.7291
euvd windows_10_version_22h2 fix: 10.0.19045.7291
euvd windows_11_version_22h3 fix: 10.0.22631.7079
euvd windows_11_version_23h2 fix: 10.0.22631.7079
euvd windows_11_version_24h2 fix: 10.0.26100.8457
euvd windows_11_version_25h2 fix: 10.0.26200.8457
euvd windows_11_version_26h1 fix: 10.0.28000.2113
euvd windows_server_2012 fix: 6.2.9200.26079
euvd windows_server_2012_r2 fix: 6.3.9600.23181
euvd windows_server_2012_r2_server_core_installation fix: 6.3.9600.23181
euvd windows_server_2012_server_core_installation fix: 6.2.9200.26079
euvd windows_server_2016 fix: 10.0.14393.9140
euvd windows_server_2016_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.14393.9140
euvd windows_server_2019 fix: 10.0.17763.8755
euvd windows_server_2019_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.17763.8755
euvd windows_server_2022 fix: 10.0.20348.5139
euvd windows_server_2022_23h2_edition_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.25398.2330
euvd windows_server_2025 fix: 10.0.26100.32860
euvd windows_server_2025_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.26100.32860

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 36 packages in microsoft, euvd

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

CWE-288 describes a weakness where authentication or authorization is enforced on one path to a resource but an alternate path or channel exists that bypasses those controls entirely. In the context of the Windows TCP/IP stack, this suggests a security enforcement mechanism - likely a packet-filter, connection-gating, or protocol-level access control layer - can be circumvented by routing traffic through an unprotected channel or crafting packets that trigger the unguarded code path. CPE data confirms the vulnerability is present across the application-layer Windows networking components from legacy Windows Server 2012 (kernel 6.2.9200) through the latest Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 26H1 (kernel 10.0.28000). The CVSS vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U reflects that exploitation is network-reachable, requires no attack complexity, but does demand that the attacker hold at least low-level authorization, consistent with the description's reference to 'an authorized attacker.'

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 6.5 MEDIUM
AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
CIRCL (temporal) 5.7 MEDIUM
vuln.today AI 6.5 MEDIUM

Network reachable with low complexity; PR:L reflects 'authorized attacker' prerequisite; integrity-only impact matches security feature bypass with no data disclosure or service disruption.

3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from NVD.

CVSS VectorNVD

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

DescriptionCVE.org

Authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel in Windows TCP/IP allows an authorized attacker to bypass a security feature over a network.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.1%
Top 82% exploitable
Prevalence
Ubiquitous
Microsoft Windows dominates enterprise desktop and server deployments globally
Vendor Action
See Below
Required. The vulnerability documented by this CVE requires customer action to resolve.
Vendor Status
Publicly Disclosed:No
Exploited:No
Latest Software Release:Exploitation Unlikely
Data Quality
6 sources
Confidence: High

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 MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.1%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
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
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable
No
Human Impact· derived
High
Technical Impact
Partial

Priority Score

32
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +32
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.

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