Executive brief
A security vulnerability exists in the Windows component responsible for managing cloud-based files. An attacker with physical access to a computer and a standard user account could exploit this flaw to gain full administrative control over the system. This could lead to the theft of sensitive data, installation of malicious software, or complete disruption of the device's operations.
Technical details
This vulnerability is a use-after-free (CWE-416) located within the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver (cldflt.sys). To exploit the flaw, an attacker must have physical access to the target machine and possess valid low-privileged user credentials. The attack complexity is rated as high, suggesting specific timing or environmental conditions are required to trigger the memory corruption. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining SYSTEM-level access. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue across affected Windows 10, 11, and Server versions.
Affected products
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 to 10.0.17763.9020
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 to 10.0.19044.7548
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 to 10.0.19045.7548
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.8875
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 to 10.0.26200.8875
- Microsoft Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 to 10.0.28000.2525
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.0 to 10.0.17763.9020
- Microsoft Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.0 to 10.0.20348.5386
Timeline
- 2026-07-14: disclosed: Initial publication of the CVE record by Microsoft.
- 2026-07-14: advisory: NVD entry published.