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Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Reach exposed Windows network driver
  2. Delivery
    Send timed concurrent network requests
  3. Exploit
    Win race in shared driver state
  4. Execution
    Corrupt kernel memory
  5. Impact
    Execute arbitrary code as system

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2025 - Insecure Design
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Concurrency control, locking
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Privilege Escalation

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

Exploitation Conditions

Exploitation requires network reachability to the vulnerable Windows network driver and the ability to trigger concurrent, precisely timed operations against its shared resource - the attacker must win a race condition (reflected as AC:H), which is the primary limiting factor and generally demands many rapid, automated attempts rather than a single request. No authentication is required (PR:N) and no user interaction is needed (UI:N), and the CVE description ties the flaw to the default network driver rather than a special feature, so no non-default configuration is stated as a prerequisite. What limits realistic exploitation: the high-complexity timing dependency, the need for direct network access to the driver's listening service (mitigable by perimeter/host firewalling), and the absence of any observed exploitation (SSVC exploitation: none, EPSS 1.00%).

Impact

Signals are mixed and should be weighed rather than taken at face value. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N, C:H/I:H/A:H = 8.1) describes unauthenticated network RCE with total impact, which is severe, but AC:H is the key qualifier - successful exploitation depends on winning a race condition, which raises the practical bar. This aligns with a low EPSS score (1.00%, 59th percentile) and CISA SSVC 'Exploitation: none', meaning no observed or public exploitation. Counterbalancing this, SSVC marks the issue 'Automatable: yes' and 'Technical Impact: total', so if a reliable timing primitive is developed it could scale. It is NOT in CISA KEV and no POC is indicated, so this is a high-severity, high-complexity, patch-now-but-not-emergency issue rather than a confirmed in-the-wild threat. Note one data inconsistency to verify with the vendor: the 'Authentication Bypass' tag implies an auth-relevant path, yet the CVSS already models PR:N (no privileges) - confirm whether any authentication context is required in specific configurations.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An unauthenticated attacker with network access to a vulnerable Windows host repeatedly sends specially timed, overlapping network requests to the affected driver, racing concurrent operations to corrupt shared kernel state and achieve arbitrary code execution at system level. No user interaction or credentials are required, but the attacker must win the timing window (AC:H), so exploitation typically involves many automated attempts. No public exploit is identified at time of analysis.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 1.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv2 – Jul 22, 2026

Remote code execution in the Microsoft Windows network driver affects a broad range of Windows client and server builds (Windows 10 1607 through Windows 11 26H1, and Windows Server 2012 through Windows Server 2025), where a race condition (CWE-362) in the shared network driver lets an unauthenticated network attacker who wins a timing window run arbitrary code with full system impact. Microsoft has shipped fixes and rates it 8.1 with high attack complexity; there is no public exploit identified at time of analysis and CISA SSVC lists exploitation status as none, though the flaw is assessed as automatable with total technical impact. The EPSS probability is low (1.00%, 59th percentile), consistent with the high-complexity, not-yet-exploited profile.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Jul 14, 2026 - 19:07 CVSS 9.8

Remote code execution in the Windows Server Network driver stems from a race condition (CWE-362) that lets an unauthorized attacker execute arbitrary code across a wide range of Microsoft Windows client and server builds, from Windows 10 1607 and Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1 and Server 2025. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N) indicates unauthenticated network exploitation with full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, and an 'Authentication Bypass' tag suggests the flaw can also subvert access controls. There is no public exploit identified at time of analysis and no CISA KEV listing, but the network-facing, pre-authentication nature makes it a high-priority patch.

RemediationAI

Apply the Microsoft cumulative security update for the affected platform, which raises the OS build past the fixed threshold for each version - for example Windows Server 2025 to 10.0.26100.33158, Windows Server 2022 to 10.0.20348.5386, Windows Server 2019 to 10.0.17763.9020, Windows Server 2012 to 6.2.9200.26226, Windows 11 24H2 to 10.0.26100.8875, and Windows 10 22H2 to 10.0.19045.7548; consult the per-version build numbers in the MSRC advisory before deploying. Patch status: Patch available per vendor advisory (Vendor-released patch: build thresholds listed above from EUVD/MSRC data). Because the flaw is in a network-facing driver and is remotely reachable, prioritize internet-facing and DMZ Windows Servers first. Until patching completes, reduce exposure by restricting network reachability to the affected service at the perimeter and host firewall (limit the relevant SMB/network-driver ports to trusted management subnets), which trades off remote administrative and file-sharing access for reduced attack surface; segment legacy Server 2012/2012 R2 hosts that may lag on updates. Full remediation details are at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-56188.

Affected VersionsENISA

Windows 10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9339
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9020
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26226
Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9020
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23291
Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.8875
Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 <10.0.28000.2525
Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 <10.0.19045.7548
Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23291
Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9020
Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33158
Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 <10.0.19044.7548
Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9339
Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.0 <10.0.20348.5386
Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 <10.0.26100.8875
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33158
Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26226
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9339

Affected Packages

euvd windows_10_version_1607 fix: 10.0.14393.9339
euvd windows_10_version_1809 fix: 10.0.17763.9020
euvd windows_10_version_21h2 fix: 10.0.19044.7548
euvd windows_10_version_22h2 fix: 10.0.19045.7548
euvd windows_11_version_24h2 fix: 10.0.26100.8875
euvd windows_11_version_25h2 fix: 10.0.26100.8875
euvd windows_11_version_26h1 fix: 10.0.28000.2525
euvd windows_server_2012 fix: 6.2.9200.26226
euvd windows_server_2012_r2 fix: 6.3.9600.23291
euvd windows_server_2012_r2_server_core_installation fix: 6.3.9600.23291
euvd windows_server_2012_server_core_installation fix: 6.2.9200.26226
euvd windows_server_2016 fix: 10.0.14393.9339
euvd windows_server_2016_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.14393.9339
euvd windows_server_2019 fix: 10.0.17763.9020
euvd windows_server_2019_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.17763.9020
euvd windows_server_2022 fix: 10.0.20348.5386
euvd windows_server_2025 fix: 10.0.26100.33158
euvd windows_server_2025_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.26100.33158

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 18 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 defect is a concurrency flaw (CWE-362, improper synchronization of a shared resource) in the Windows Server Network driver - a kernel-mode component that processes network traffic. Because multiple threads operate on shared driver state without adequate locking, an attacker who can precisely time overlapping network operations can drive the driver into an inconsistent state (e.g., use-after-free or state corruption) that is leveraged for code execution in the kernel/system context. The affected CPEs span microsoft:windows_10 (1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2), windows_11 (24H2, 25H2, 26H1), and windows_server (2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) including Server Core installations, indicating the vulnerable driver ships across the entire modern Windows codebase rather than a single edition. The 'Authentication Bypass' tag alongside CWE-362 suggests the race can be abused to reach code paths without completing normal authentication.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY CRITICAL
NVD 8.1 HIGH
AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
ENISA EUVD HIGH
vuln.today AI 8.1 HIGH

Network-reachable driver flaw exploitable without auth or interaction (AV:N/PR:N/UI:N), but winning the race window makes AC:H; kernel code execution yields full C:H/I:H/A:H.

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

Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).

CVSS VectorNVD

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

Lifecycle Timeline

4
Analysis Updated
Jul 22, 2026 - 12:00 vuln.today
v2 - CVSS changed
Severity Changed
Jul 22, 2026 - 11:52 NVD
CRITICAL HIGH
CVSS changed
Jul 22, 2026 - 11:52 NVD
9.8 (CRITICAL) 8.1 (HIGH)
CVE Published
Jul 14, 2026 - 17:09 nvd
CRITICAL 9.8

DescriptionNVD

Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Windows Server Network driver allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-56188 affects the entire Windows ecosystem-from desktop Windows 10/11 systems to critical Windows Server infrastructure running 2012-2025 versions-exposing organizations to unauthenticated remote code execution that grants attackers complete system control. An organization's Windows estate represents a primary attack surface for lateral movement, data exfiltration, and ransomware deployment, making this a critical patching priority despite current low exploitation rates. Microsoft has released patches for all affected versions, enabling organizations to mitigate this organizational-wide risk through coordinated, staged deployment.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. Until patches are deployed, implement network segmentation to restrict untrusted network access to Windows systems and enable enhanced monitoring of network driver events and suspicious process execution for early detection of potential exploitation attempts.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
1.0%
Top 41% exploitable
Prevalence
Ubiquitous
Windows client and server OS deployed across nearly all enterprise environments
Threat Intel
2
1 sources
Vendor Status
Publicly Disclosed:No
Exploited:No
Latest Software Release:Exploitation More 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 1.0%
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
Open
Automatable
Yes
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

46
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +1
CVSS: +40
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: +5

Attack Technique

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

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