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Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Gain physical device access
  2. Delivery
    Authenticate with high-privilege credentials
  3. Exploit
    Submit crafted input to Volume Manager Extension Driver
  4. Execution
    Trigger heap buffer overflow
  5. Persist
    Overwrite kernel data structures
  6. Impact
    Execute arbitrary code at kernel privilege level

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Heap buffer bounds checking
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Execution

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Exploitation requires two compounding prerequisites confirmed by the CVSS vector: physical access to the target device (AV:P) and high-privilege credentials on that system (PR:H per CVSS). The SSVC Automatable: no rating confirms this cannot be triggered remotely, through phishing, or via network-accessible interfaces. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own actions (UI:N), meaning the attack is self-contained once the two prerequisites are met. What limits exploitation: the attacker cannot operate remotely, cannot leverage low-privilege accounts, and cannot automate delivery across a network. Scope is unchanged (S:U), so the overflow does not propagate to adjacent hypervisors or containers without additional exploitation steps. This vulnerability is irrelevant to remote attack scenarios and poses no risk in environments where strict physical access controls and separation of high-privilege accounts from physical access are enforced.

Impact

Despite the SSVC classification of Technical Impact: total - consistent with a kernel code execution primitive - the aggregate real-world risk is low for most environments. The CVSS AV:P (physical) and PR:H (high privileges) metrics impose compounding prerequisites: the attacker must be physically present at the device and already hold high-privilege credentials, two conditions that together dramatically constrain the viable attacker population. EPSS at 0.07% (22nd percentile) is consistent with these constraints and indicates essentially no observed exploitation activity in the wild. SSVC also confirms Automatable: no, ruling out remote scanning, worm propagation, or mass exploitation. The vulnerability is absent from CISA KEV and no public proof-of-concept has been identified. The primary residual risk is insider threat scenarios or physical-access supply chain attacks. Organizations with kiosk deployments, shared physical terminals, or regulated environments requiring strict physical security postures should treat this with higher urgency than general enterprise endpoints.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An insider or physically present attacker authenticates to a Windows system with high-privilege credentials, then interacts with the Volume Manager Extension Driver through a crafted storage operation, triggering the heap buffer overflow to overwrite critical kernel data structures and redirect execution to attacker-controlled code. This scenario is most plausible in contexts such as a rogue IT administrator with physical console access, an attacker who has seized physical control of an unattended privileged workstation, or a supply chain actor with access to hardware before deployment. No public proof-of-concept code has been identified at time of analysis.

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

Heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Volume Manager Extension Driver enables an authorized attacker with physical device access to execute arbitrary code, achieving full system compromise across a broad range of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server editions. Affected product versions span from Windows Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2025, per EUVD-2026-29656 data. No active exploitation has been confirmed (not in CISA KEV), and EPSS at 0.07% (22nd percentile) reflects the extremely low probability of widespread exploitation given the dual prerequisite of physical presence and high-privilege credentials.

RemediationAI

Apply the vendor-released patch via Windows Update or through the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-40380. Per EUVD-2026-29656, fixed builds include Windows 11 24H2 at 10.0.26100.8457 or later, Windows 11 25H2 at 10.0.26200.8457 or later, Windows 11 26H1 at 10.0.28000.2113 or later, Windows 11 22H3/23H2 at 10.0.22631.7079 or later, Windows 10 21H2 at 10.0.19044.7291 or later, Windows 10 22H2 at 10.0.19045.7291 or later, Windows 10 1607 and Server 2016 at 10.0.14393.9140 or later, Windows Server 2019 at 10.0.17763.8755 or later, Windows Server 2022 at 10.0.20348.5139 or later, Server 2022 23H2 at 10.0.25398.2330 or later, Server 2025 at 10.0.26100.32860 or later, Server 2012 at 6.2.9200.26079 or later, and Server 2012 R2 at 6.3.9600.23181 or later. Where immediate patching is not feasible, enforce strict physical access controls - since the attack vector is entirely physical (AV:P), robust physical security (locked server rooms, chassis intrusion detection, BIOS/UEFI passwords, disabled USB/maintenance ports) directly and materially reduces exposure without software-level trade-offs.

Affected VersionsENISA

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

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

The Volume Manager Extension Driver is a kernel-mode Windows component responsible for managing logical storage volumes. CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) identifies the root cause: the driver fails to enforce proper bounds validation on heap-allocated memory, enabling a controlled heap corruption condition that can be leveraged to redirect execution flow. CPE data confirms the vulnerability spans the Microsoft Windows product family across multiple major release lines: Windows 10 versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, and 22H2; Windows 11 versions 22H3 through 26H1; and Windows Server 2012 through Server 2025. The CVSS vector AV:P specifies that the exploit path requires physical access to the hardware, distinguishing this from network-reachable driver vulnerabilities.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 6.2 MEDIUM
AV:P/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CIRCL (temporal) 5.4 MEDIUM
vuln.today AI 6.2 MEDIUM

Physical presence required to reach the driver (AV:P), high privileges needed per 'authorized attacker' description (PR:H); successful heap overflow yields full kernel code execution with complete CIA impact.

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

Primary rating from NVD.

CVSS VectorNVD

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

DescriptionCVE.org

Heap-based buffer overflow in Volume Manager Extension Driver allows an authorized attacker to execute code with a physical attack.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.1%
Top 78% exploitable
Prevalence
Ubiquitous
Windows OS deployed across virtually all enterprise environments 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 Less Likely
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
Small
Automatable
No
Human Impact· derived
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

31
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +31
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

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.

A heap overflow occurs when a program writes data beyond the bounds of a buffer allocated in the heap memory region.

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