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Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Obtain low-privileged local foothold
  2. Delivery
    Invoke crafted Win32K GRFX graphics call
  3. Exploit
    Overflow kernel heap buffer (CWE-122)
  4. Execution
    Corrupt adjacent kernel object
  5. Persist
    Hijack kernel control flow
  6. Impact
    Execute code as SYSTEM

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 the attacker to already have authenticated, low-privileged local code execution on the target (CVSS PR:L, AV:L) - this is a post-compromise privilege-escalation vulnerability, not a remote entry point. The specific requirement is the ability to reach the Win32K GRFX (graphics) kernel code path, which any interactive or logged-on user process can normally do, and no user interaction is needed (UI:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L). Limiting factors: the attacker must first obtain a foothold on the machine, the vulnerable Windows build must be unpatched (below the fixed builds listed in EUVD), and SSVC rates it non-automatable, so it is used in targeted hands-on-keyboard or malware-chained escalation rather than wormable mass exploitation. Hosts where untrusted users cannot run code are not practically exposed.

Impact

The signals are internally consistent and point to a serious-but-not-emergency local escalation issue. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H, 8.8) indicates local access, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and a scope change with total CIA impact - the classic profile of a kernel LPE. SSVC corroborates this: Technical Impact is 'total,' but Exploitation is 'none' and Automatable is 'no,' meaning no observed exploitation and no reliable mass-automation path (local vector requires an existing foothold). EPSS reinforces low near-term exploitation likelihood at 0.02% (6th percentile). It is not on CISA KEV. The high CVSS is driven by impact severity, not by ease of remote reach - this is a privilege-escalation building block an attacker uses AFTER initial access, not an internet-facing entry point. Realistic priority: patch in the normal Patch Tuesday cycle, prioritizing multi-user, RDP/terminal, and shared-workstation hosts where untrusted low-privileged users run code.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker who already has a low-privileged foothold on a Windows host - for example a standard domain user on a shared terminal server, or malware running in a restricted user context - invokes a crafted graphics/Win32k GRFX operation that overflows a kernel heap buffer. By grooming the kernel heap and corrupting an adjacent object, they gain arbitrary kernel code execution and elevate to SYSTEM, defeating the local privilege boundary. No public exploit is identified at time of analysis, and no user interaction is required once the attacker can execute code locally.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Jul 23, 2026

Local privilege escalation in the Win32K GRFX (graphics) subsystem of Microsoft Windows allows an authenticated, low-privileged user to execute arbitrary code in the kernel context via a heap-based buffer overflow. All currently supported Windows client and server releases (Windows 10 1607 through Windows 11 26H1, Windows Server 2012 through 2025) are affected. There is no public exploit identified at time of analysis, and EPSS probability is very low (0.02%), but the total technical impact and low exploitation barrier make it a meaningful patch-priority for endpoint hardening.

RemediationAI

Vendor-released patch: apply the Microsoft security update that raises each SKU to at or above its fixed build listed in the MSRC advisory (https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-40403) - e.g. 10.0.19045.7291 for Windows 10 22H2, 10.0.26100.8457 for Windows 11 24H2, 10.0.20348.5139 for Server 2022, 10.0.26100.32860 for Server 2025. This is the definitive fix and should be deployed through your standard update channel. There is no vendor-published standalone workaround for a Win32k memory-corruption bug; because exploitation requires an authenticated local foothold, the meaningful compensating controls until patching are limiting who can run code on affected hosts - restrict interactive/RDP logon rights on multi-user and server hosts, enforce least-privilege on user accounts, and prioritize systems where untrusted users execute arbitrary code. Note the trade-off: tightening logon rights can disrupt legitimate remote administration and shared-workstation workflows, so scope it to high-risk hosts. Ensure kernel exploit mitigations (HVCI/Memory Integrity, and Win32k API restriction where compatible) remain enabled to raise exploitation difficulty.

Affected VersionsENISA

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

Affected Packages

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 21 packages in euvd

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

Technical ContextAI · show details

The flaw resides in Win32k, the kernel-mode component that implements the Windows GUI and graphics device interface, specifically the GRFX (graphics) code path. Win32k executes in ring 0, so memory-corruption bugs here translate directly into kernel code execution and full system compromise. The root cause is classified as CWE-122 (heap-based buffer overflow): a controllable allocation on the kernel heap is written past its bounds, corrupting adjacent heap metadata or object pointers that an attacker can leverage to hijack control flow. CPE data confirms the affected surface is the Microsoft Windows OS itself across client SKUs (windows_10_version_1607/1809/21H2/22H2, windows_11_version_22H3/23H2/24H2/25H2/26H1) and server SKUs (windows_server_2012 and, per EUVD version data, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2022 23H2, and 2025), including Server Core installations.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 8.8 HIGH
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
vuln.today AI 8.8 HIGH

Local vector and low privileges (authenticated user foothold), no interaction; kernel Win32k code execution crosses to SYSTEM so scope changes with total confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

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

Primary rating from NVD.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

DescriptionCVE.org

Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Win32K - GRFX allows an authorized attacker to execute code locally.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Microsoft Windows privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2026-40403, CVSS 8.8) allows any authenticated user to gain kernel-level system control, creating insider threat and lateral movement risks. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, but the vulnerability affects all currently supported Windows versions-from Windows 10 1607 through Windows 11, and Windows Server 2012 through 2025-making organizational exposure universal. Urgent patching is critical to prevent exploitation before public tools emerge.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 94% exploitable
Prevalence
Ubiquitous
Microsoft Windows kernel component present in nearly all enterprise environments
Threat Intel
1
1 sources
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 HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
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
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

44
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +44
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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