Executive brief
A security vulnerability has been identified in the Windows NTFS file system, which is responsible for managing how data is stored and retrieved on hard drives. An attacker who already has basic access to a computer could exploit this flaw to gain full control over the system. This could lead to the theft of sensitive data, the installation of malicious software, or a complete disruption of business operations.
Technical details
A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) exists within the Windows NTFS driver. The flaw is triggered when the system improperly handles memory allocation during file system operations. An attacker with low-privileged local access can exploit this to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Windows client and server operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2008 R2. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue.
Affected products
- Microsoft Windows 10 Versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2
- Microsoft Windows 11 Versions 22H3, 23H2, 24H2, 25H2
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
Timeline
- 2026-01-13: disclosed
- 2026-01-13: advisory