Executive brief
A security vulnerability has been identified in the Windows NTFS file system, which is the primary system Windows uses to organize and store files on hard drives. An attacker who already has basic access to a computer could exploit this flaw to gain full control over the system or run malicious software. This could lead to the theft of sensitive data, permanent loss of files, or a complete disruption of the affected computer's 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, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory. While the attack vector is local, it requires no special user privileges or interaction (PR:N/UI:N), making it a potent vector for privilege escalation. Successful exploitation allows for arbitrary code execution in the context of the kernel or a highly privileged service. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue across affected Windows 10, 11, and Server 2012 versions.
Affected products
- Microsoft Windows 10 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2
- Microsoft Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, 26H1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 All versions
Timeline
- 2026-07-14: disclosed
- 2026-07-14: advisory