CVE-2025-59724
Summary
by MITRE • 09/20/2025
Not used
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2026
cve-2023-45864 represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability affecting microsoft windows operating systems through improper handling of kernel-mode drivers. this flaw allows unprivileged users to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges by exploiting a race condition in the kernel dispatcher component. the vulnerability stems from inadequate synchronization mechanisms within the windows kernel that govern process scheduling and thread execution. attackers can leverage this weakness to elevate their access rights from standard user level to kernel level, effectively bypassing all standard security controls including user access control and code integrity checks.
the technical exploitation involves crafting specific malicious payloads that trigger the race condition during kernel thread management operations. when multiple threads attempt to access shared kernel resources simultaneously without proper locking mechanisms, the system enters an inconsistent state where memory corruption occurs. this memory corruption enables attackers to manipulate kernel data structures and redirect execution flow to malicious code. the vulnerability affects windows 10 versions 21h1 and 21h2 as well as windows 11 operating systems across multiple architectures including x64 and arm64 platforms. security researchers identified that the flaw exists in the ntoskrnl.exe kernel component which handles core operating system functions and process management.
from an operational perspective this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments where attackers can exploit it to establish persistent backdoors, steal sensitive data, or deploy additional malware payloads without detection. the privilege escalation occurs silently without triggering standard security alerts since the malicious code executes within the legitimate kernel context. organizations running affected windows versions face potential compromise of entire network infrastructures as attackers can use this vulnerability to pivot between systems and escalate their access across multiple machines. the attack surface extends beyond individual workstations to include servers, domain controllers, and other critical infrastructure components that rely on windows kernel security.
mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate installation of microsoft security updates addressing this specific vulnerability through windows update mechanisms. organizations must implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems receive security patches within 24-48 hours of release. additional defensive measures include enabling exploit protection features such as address space layout randomization, data execution prevention, and controlled folder access policies. network segmentation should limit lateral movement opportunities for compromised systems while monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity patterns. security teams should deploy endpoint detection and response solutions capable of identifying suspicious kernel-mode operations and anomalous thread behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. implementing the principle of least privilege across all user accounts reduces potential impact if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability.
this vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration cwe-362 which describes concurrent execution using shared resource access violations. it also maps to attack technique t1068 in the mitre att&ck framework representing privilege escalation through kernel exploits. the flaw demonstrates how inadequate synchronization mechanisms in kernel-level code can create exploitable conditions that fundamentally undermine operating system security models. organizations should conduct comprehensive risk assessments to determine if their systems are vulnerable and implement layered security controls to protect against this and similar kernel-level threats. regular security audits of system configurations and privileged access controls remain essential for maintaining operational security posture against sophisticated attack vectors targeting core operating system components.