# CVE-2026-72935: Microsoft Windows NTFS out-of-bounds read privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-72935-microsoft-windows-ntfs-out-of-bounds-read-privilege-escalation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-08. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-72935 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.7 · Published 2026-09-08

Windows NTFS is the file system that manages data storage on Windows computers. An authenticated local user can exploit an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in NTFS to escalate their privileges on the system, potentially gaining administrative access and control over the entire machine.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows NTFS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-ntfs). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-72935 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-72935 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-72935?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.7, published 8 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows NTFS Multiple Windows versions.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-72935?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-72935 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-72935?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows NTFS at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

An out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists in the Windows NTFS file system driver. The vulnerability allows an authenticated local attacker to read memory beyond allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data or system state. This information can then be leveraged to escalate privileges to SYSTEM or administrator level. The attack requires local access and valid user credentials; it is not remotely exploitable. Microsoft has released security patches to address this vulnerability through their standard security update process.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows NTFS Multiple Windows versions

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72935](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72935)

## Related threats

- [Windows NTFS pointer dereference remote code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105542-untrusted-pointer-dereference-in-windows-ntfs-allows-an)
- [Windows NTFS improper access control information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83864-improper-access-control-in-windows-ntfs-allows-an-authorized)
- [Windows NTFS format string privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83585-use-of-externally-controlled-format-string-in-windows-ntfs-allows)
- [Windows NTFS out-of-bounds read privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83508-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-ntfs-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows NTFS integer overflow allows privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69916-integer-overflow-or-wraparound-in-windows-ntfs-allows-an)