Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessReach LSASS over network
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DeliverySend request with oversized length field
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ExploitTrigger excessive memory allocation (CWE-789)
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ExecutionLSASS crashes
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ImpactAuthentication/service denial on host
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Memory allocation limits
|
| Exploitation Conditions | No special conditions - remote unauthenticated exploitation against default configurations of Windows LSASS (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The only prerequisite is network reachability to the target host's LSASS-exposed authentication service; no credentials, no user interaction, and no non-default feature toggle are required per the CVSS vector. Limiting factors that reduce real-world risk: the target must be network-reachable, so hosts behind firewalls or network segmentation that block untrusted access to authentication ports are not exposed; impact is confined to availability (service crash / DoS) with no data exposure or code execution, and any missing host among the enumerated Windows 10/11 and Server 2012-2025 versions is out of scope. |
| Impact | The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, base 7.5 HIGH) indicates a remotely reachable, low-complexity, unauthenticated availability-only attack - a realistic and easily repeatable DoS. CISA's SSVC framework aligns: Exploitation is 'none' (no observed exploitation), but Automatable is 'yes' (the trigger can be scripted and sprayed across many hosts) and Technical Impact is 'partial' (consistent with availability-only, no code execution or data exposure). No EPSS score was provided, and the CVE is not in CISA KEV, so there is no public exploit identified at time of analysis. The signals are internally consistent: this is a genuine patch-worthy availability risk rather than a critical RCE, and its priority rises for internet-facing or domain-critical hosts where an LSASS crash disrupts authentication, but it does not enable compromise of data or systems. Note: the input Tags include a spurious 'Authentication Bypass' label that contradicts the description and CVSS (C:N/I:N) - this appears to be metadata noise and should not be treated as an integrity/auth-bypass vulnerability; verify with the Microsoft advisory. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker with network reachability to an unpatched Windows host sends a crafted authentication-related request containing a malicious oversized length field, causing LSASS to attempt an excessive memory allocation and crash. Because LSASS underpins logon and token issuance, the crash disrupts authentication and can destabilize or reboot the host; the attack requires no credentials or user interaction and, being automatable, can be scripted against many hosts. No public exploit is identified at time of analysis. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Jul 14, 2026
Denial of service in the Windows Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to crash the service and disrupt authentication across all supported Windows client and server releases from Windows 10 1607 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2012 through Server 2025. The flaw stems from an excessive-size memory allocation (CWE-789) triggerable over the network with no privileges or user interaction, and while a vendor patch is available, there is no public exploit identified at time of analysis and it is not listed in CISA KEV. Impact is limited to availability (A:H) with no confidentiality or integrity loss, but LSASS failure can force system instability or reboots, affecting domain authentication and logon.
RemediationAI
Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2026-40378 as the primary fix - Patch available per vendor advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-40378; consult the MSRC update guide for the exact fixed build number matching each affected SKU, as specific patched version numbers were not provided in this data set and should not be invented. Prioritize internet-facing and domain controller / authentication-critical hosts. Where immediate patching is not possible, reduce network exposure of LSASS-related authentication services: restrict inbound access to affected hosts using host and perimeter firewalls so only trusted management and domain networks can reach authentication ports (trade-off: may break legitimate remote authentication or cross-segment logons if over-restricted), and place domain controllers and servers behind segmentation that blocks untrusted network reachability. Because the impact is a service crash rather than code execution, monitoring LSASS process health and configuring automatic recovery/alerting can shorten outages while patches are staged. Avoid third-party 'fixes'; use the official Microsoft update only.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 19 packages in euvd
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
LSASS is the core Windows process responsible for enforcing security policy, validating logons, handling password changes, and issuing access tokens - its availability is essential for authentication and Active Directory operations. The root cause is CWE-789 (Memory Allocation with Excessive Size Value): an attacker-controlled length or count field in a network-reachable request is used to size a memory allocation without adequate bounds checking, leading to an oversized or failed allocation that crashes or hangs the process. Per the CPE data, the affected component ships across the full Windows family: Windows 10 (1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2), Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2, 26H1), and Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025, including Server Core installations. Because LSASS is exposed to authentication-related network protocols, a single malformed request can exhaust or corrupt allocation state and terminate the service.
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Network-reachable LSASS with no auth or interaction and low complexity (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N); impact is availability-only service crash, so C:N/I:N/A:H, scope unchanged.
Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).
CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft
DescriptionCVE.org
Memory allocation with excessive size value in Windows Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) allows an unauthorized attacker to deny service over a network.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2026-40378 enables unauthenticated remote attackers to disrupt authentication services across your Windows infrastructure, blocking user logon and domain operations. The vulnerability affects all Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems in operation, creating an organization-wide risk to availability and access. With a patch now available, rapid deployment to critical systems is essential to prevent authentication outages and protect business continuity.
Apply vendor patch.
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
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.
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