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Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Authenticate as low-privileged NFS client
  2. Delivery
    Send concurrent timed NFS operations
  3. Exploit
    Race the check-to-use window
  4. Execution
    Swap file state mid-operation
  5. Impact
    Elevate privileges on host

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture TOCTOU prevention
Exploitation Conditions

Exploitation requires the target to have the Windows Server for NFS role (or NFS handling) enabled and reachable - this is an optional, non-default Windows feature, which is the primary limiting factor. The attacker must be an authorized/authenticated NFS user (CVSS PR:L), not an anonymous internet actor, and must reliably win a TOCTOU timing race (CVSS AC:H), meaning success is probabilistic and may require repeated attempts. No user interaction is needed (UI:N) and the vector is network-based (AV:N), but the combination of required NFS deployment, existing low privileges, and race-condition timing substantially narrows realistic exploitation compared to the raw 7.5 score.

Impact

Signals are moderate and internally consistent for a serious but not trivially exploitable issue. The CVSS base score of 7.5 (High) reflects network reach (AV:N) and full C/I/A impact, but is tempered by AC:H (winning a race condition is timing-dependent and not reliable) and PR:L (the attacker must already be an authenticated/authorized NFS user). No EPSS score was provided, so exploitation probability cannot be quantified. It is not in CISA KEV and no POC is referenced, so this is not confirmed active exploitation - prioritization should rest on patch availability and exposure rather than in-the-wild pressure. Note a data conflict worth flagging: the description states elevation of privilege while the vendor Tags label this 'Information Disclosure' - verify the true impact class against the MSRC advisory, though the CVSS C:H/I:H/A:H is broader than pure information disclosure would imply. Given a patch exists and the affected footprint is limited to hosts with the NFS role enabled, this is a real but manageable priority: patch promptly on NFS servers, lower urgency on hosts without NFS.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker who already holds low-privilege authenticated access as an NFS client repeatedly issues concurrent, precisely timed file operations against a Windows Server for NFS export, aiming to swap a file or its state between the service's permission check and its subsequent use. On a successful race window they cross a privilege boundary to obtain elevated rights (and potentially read/modify protected data). No public exploit is identified at time of analysis, and the AC:H rating reflects that reliably winning the race typically requires many attempts.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.5% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Jul 14, 2026

Elevation of privilege in the Windows Network File System (NFS) component affects a broad range of Microsoft platforms - Windows 10 (1607 through 22H2), Windows 11 (24H2, 25H2, 26H1), and Windows Server 2012 through 2025 - where an authorized attacker can win a time-of-check/time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition over the network to gain higher privileges. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:H/PR:L) indicates a network-reachable but high-complexity flaw requiring low-level existing privileges, with full high impact to confidentiality, integrity and availability. There is no public exploit identified at time of analysis and it is not listed in CISA KEV; a Microsoft (MSRC) patch is available.

RemediationAI

Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2026-56648 for each affected OS build; the patch is available per the MSRC advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-56648, which provides the exact fixed build numbers per platform (Vendor-released patch: see MSRC update guide - no single global version applies across all builds). Because exact fix versions vary by product, use the advisory's per-build KB numbers rather than an invented version. As a compensating control on unpatched systems, disable the Server for NFS role where NFS sharing is not required (side effect: breaks any legitimate NFS file shares to UNIX/Linux clients), and restrict NFS access at the network layer by limiting TCP/UDP 2049 (and portmapper/mountd ports) to trusted client subnets via firewall rules (side effect: may block legitimate cross-platform clients). Since PR:L is required, also review and tighten NFS export permissions and authenticated user accounts to reduce the pool of potential attackers.

Affected VersionsENISA

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

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

Windows NFS is Microsoft's implementation of the Network File System protocol, provided via the optional Server for NFS / Client for NFS roles that let Windows and UNIX/Linux hosts share files. The root cause is CWE-367 (Time-of-check Time-of-use race condition): the NFS service validates a resource, permission, or file state at one moment (the 'check') but the actual operation (the 'use') happens later, and an attacker who alters the state in the intervening window can subvert the security decision. Because NFS handles requests concurrently over the network, the window between validation and use is exploitable by a remote client that can precisely time overlapping operations, allowing a privilege boundary to be crossed.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 7.5 HIGH
AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CIRCL (temporal) 6.5 MEDIUM
vuln.today AI 7.5 HIGH

Network-reachable NFS with race-condition timing gives AV:N/AC:H, an authenticated NFS user gives PR:L, and privilege elevation yields full C:H/I:H/A:H within an unchanged scope.

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

Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).

CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft

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

DescriptionCVE.org

Time-of-check time-of-use (toctou) race condition in Windows Network File System allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-56648 is a high-severity privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows NFS affecting Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2012-2025. A low-privileged authenticated attacker can exploit a network-accessible race condition to gain full system control, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability affects the broad Windows ecosystem and requires timely patching across numerous systems in most enterprise deployments.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If patch deployment cannot be completed within 30 days, implement network segmentation restricting NFS access to trusted administrative networks, disable NFS services where not operationally required, and limit authentication to NFS services to administrative accounts only.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.5%
Top 62% exploitable
Prevalence
Medium
Windows is ubiquitous but the NFS server role is optional, not default
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 HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.5%
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
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

38
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +38
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

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