CVE-2025-53958
Summary
by MITRE • 07/16/2025
Not used
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
cve-2023-38237 represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability affecting microsoft windows operating systems. this flaw exists within the windows kernel mode driver interface and allows attackers to elevate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. the vulnerability stems from improper validation of input parameters within the kernel driver responsible for handling device io control requests. specifically when processing certain control codes, the driver fails to properly validate the size and content of user-supplied buffers, creating a potential for arbitrary code execution within kernel space. this weakness directly maps to cwe-121 stack-based buffer overflow and cwe-787 out-of-bounds write conditions that are commonly exploited in privilege escalation attacks.
the operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to bypass standard windows security mechanisms including user access control and integrity levels. once exploited, malicious actors can gain complete system control without requiring administrative credentials or physical access to the target machine. the attack surface extends across all supported windows versions including windows 10 and windows 11, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where multiple systems may be vulnerable. the vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious software installation, web-based attacks, or even through compromised applications that interact with vulnerable drivers.
from a threat actor perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the attack pattern taxonomy including privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. the exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious driver requests that trigger the buffer overflow condition, followed by executing malicious code within kernel context to gain system level privileges. organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying microsoft security patches, disabling unnecessary driver interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious driver activity. the vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in kernel mode components which directly relates to software security assurance standards and best practices outlined in iso/iec 27034 and owasp top ten security controls.
the technical exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be automated through readily available attack frameworks that leverage the specific buffer overflow characteristics. defensive measures should include endpoint detection and response solutions that monitor for anomalous driver behavior, application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized driver installations, and regular security assessments to identify potentially vulnerable system components. organizations must also consider implementing micro-segmentation strategies and network monitoring to limit lateral movement once a system has been compromised. this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential consequences of delayed remediation efforts in enterprise security environments.